March 2014 Calendar

129

Arts

March 7 – May 24:  American Art 1840s-1870s, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat.  An exhibition of prominent 19th century American painters explores the changing mood of the country in the years surrounding the American Civil War.  Member preview reception:  March 7, 6-8p.m.  Cost:  $4 adults, $3 seniors/students/military, $2 youth 4-13 and under 4 free.  Call Alyssa Fridgen:  443-3458.

 

March 7 – May 24:  Civil War Contemporary Remix, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10a.m.-5p.m. Tue.-Fri., 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat.  Contemporary art exploring the American Civil War through modern painting, photography, sculpture and installation; features prominent artists.  Although 150 years have passed, the Civil War remains an imaginative intrigue for artists.  Member preview reception:  March 7, 6-8p.m.  Cost:  $4 adults, $3 seniors/students/military, $2 youth 4-13 and under 4 free.  Call Alyssa Fridgen:  443-3458.

 

March 7:  Civil War Events Reception, Alexandria Museum of Art, 4-6p.m.  Opening reception of two exhibitions related to the Civil War: Civil War Contemporary Remix and American Art 1840s-1870s.  AMoA Member Preview will be from 6-8p.m.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Alyssa Fridgen:  443-3458.

 

March 8:  AMoA Youth Art Month Festival, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9a.m.-1p.m. March is Youth Art Month.  Come to the museum to celebrate and support the creativity of our youth.  The festival will feature an art exhibit from local students, hands on art activities and food vendors for the whole family to enjoy.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Jenny Gallent:  443-3458.

 

March 8:  AMoA Youth Art Month Muse Open Mic Night, Alexandria Museum of Art, time:  TBA.  The Muse Teen Club is celebrating Youth Art Month by hosting an open mic night for Cenla teens and young adults.  All performers must be between the ages of 14-21.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Cindy Blair:  443-3458.

 

March 28:  Opening Reception, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 6p.m.  Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival.  Features a regional competitive art exhibit, a school art exhibit, and awards presentation and gallery talk by Juror Samuel Joseph Corso.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Julie Bacon:  443-5696.

 

March 29 – April 6:  Art Exhibit, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 10a.m.-4p.m., daily.  Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival. Features competitive art exhibits by regional artists and special exhibits.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Julie Bacon:  443-5696.

 

March 29:  Children’s Day at the Arts Festival, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, time:  TBA.  Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival.  Visit www.fumca.org/artsfestival  for more information.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Julie Bacon:  443-5696.

 

April 1 – 6:  Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival Art Exhibit, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, 10a.m.-4p.m.  Exhibit open daily and features competitive art exhibits by regional artists and special exhibits.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Julie Bacon:  443-5696.

 

April 5:  Family Art Class:  Printing Texture with Tobiasse, Alexandria Museum of Art, 1-3p.m.  Families and kids of all ages will tour AMoA’s exhibition Theo Tobiasse:  Textural Emergence, and then learn how to create textural prints using an embossed collagraph process. Cost:  Free to AMoA member families, $20 nonmember families.  Call AMoA:  443-3458.

 

April 5:  The Muse Ceramic Sculpture Workshop with Jeremy Simmons (session 2 of 2), MPAC Building, LSUA Campus, 3:30-5:30p.m.  In part 2 of the workshops, LSUA visual arts professor Jeremy Simmons will teach students between the ages of 14-21 ceramic sculpture techniques.  Cost:  TBA.  Call AMoA:  443-3458.

 

 

Music

March 26:  Spring is in the Air, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 2:30p.m.  Sponsored by Rapides Symphony Orchestra.  Korngold-Violin Concerto featuring Violinist-Lin He, Britten-Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes and Grieg-Peer Gynt Suite No. 1.  Cost:  $25 adults, $15 seniors, $10 students.  Call James Owens:  484-4469.

 

April 4:  DownTown Rocks, Steps of City Hall, 6-8p.m.  Sponsored by the City of Alexandria Division of Community Services.  Featuring Chris Ardoin and NuStep Zydeko.  Cost:  Free.  Call:  449-5225.

 

April 4:  Jazz on Jackson, First United Methodist Church, Alexandria, time:  TBA.  Sponsored by Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival.  Visit www.fumca.org/artsfestival for more information.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Julie Bacon:  443-5696.

 

 

Theatre

March 20-23 and 27-30:  Bye Bye Birdie, Martin Performing Arts Center, Louisiana College, 7p.m. Thur.-Sat., 2p.m. Sun.  Sponsored by Louisiana College.  The MacAfee family and residents of Sweet Apple, Ohio go topsy-turvy when teen idol Conrad Birdie comes to town to serenade one lucky fan before he enters the army.  You’ll be humming and bopping to the music in this smash Broadway hit!  Cost:  $15 general, $10 seniors and students, $5 LC students.  Call Theatre of Louisiana College Box Office:  487-7495.

 

March 21-22: Into the Woods, Jr., Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center.  Presented by LBM Productions and Alexandria Country Day School, the cast just returned from the Junior Theater Festival in Atlanta, where they won a national award for Excellence in Music.   This is a family-friendly version of the Tony-Award winning Broadway musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine.  Cost: $10.00.  Call: 318-448-1475. www.ACDSonline.TIX.com

 

April 3 – 6 and 10-13:  A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, LSUA Black Box Theatre, 7:30p.m. Thur.-Sat., 2:20p.m. Sun.  Sponsored by LSUA Empty Space Players.  Cost:  $10 general admission, $5 students and seniors.  Call Robert Harper:  473-6473.

 

April 3 – 6:  Oklahoma, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 7p.m. Thur.-Fri., 2p.m. Sat.-Sun.  Sponsored by Holy Savior Menard High School.  Please call for ticket prices.  Call Cherise Rino:  445-8233.

 

 

Events

March 7-8:  TBIPAC Spring BBQ Throwdown, Paragon Casino Resort RV Park, 10a.m.-4p.m. Sat.  Trade booths set up on Saturday.  Judges are needed for brisket, ribs and chicken on Saturday.  500 BBQ Plate lunch sales from 11a.m.-1p.m. Sat. Cost:  $150 for BBQ Contestants and free general admission.  Call Amy Sampson:  240-6414.

 

March 7-30:  Central Louisiana Outdoor Adventure Festival, Rapides Parish, times:  TBA.  Sponsored by Alexandria/Pineville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Enjoy one of “America’s Top 100 Adventure Towns” during a month-long calendar of events focusing on our great outdoor activities.  Cost:  Varies by event.  Call CVB:  442-9546.

 

March 8:  Annual Heart Walk, Big Island, 8a.m. registration, 9a.m. walk.  Sponsored by American Heart Association.  Super Hero is the theme for the Heart Walk.  Come dressed as your favorite character.  Register on line at www.cenlaheartwalk.org. Cost:  Admission free.  Call Kourtny Bratton:  794-9621.

 

March 8:  Second Saturday Market & Community Table, Alexandria Museum of Art, 9a.m.-1p.m.  Admission is free to AMoA every Second Saturday with arts activities for kids, live music, exhibitions, creating art projects together, and discovering one another’s creativity.  Home gardeners and local farmers are invited to sell their extra produce and plants at the Community Table.  One-of-a-kind works of art sold in the downtown Cultural Arts District are tax free.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Jenny Gallent:  443-3458.

 

March 8:  Taking It 2 the Street, Downtown Alexandria, 10a.m.-Noon.  Sponsored by Bayou Dawgs, Sayes Office Supply and Greg Walker Law.  Kicking off its 4th season, Taking It 2 the Streets is a walking tour of Alexandria’s Cultural District with Media Celebrity tour guides and street performers all along the route.  This family, friendly tour starts at the Alexandria Museum of Art’s Second Saturday Market.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Rich Joyce:  445-1234 ext. 242.

 

March 10-15: Glenmora Friends of the Library Bake and Book Sale, Glenmora Branch Rapides Parish Library.  The sale will be held in the meeting room and all proceeds will go toward the McDonald Branch youth programming.  Glenmora Friends of the Library is a non-profit organization.  Call JoAnn Perry: 318-419-2841. www.rpl.org

 

March 10: The Morning Widowed Persons Support Group, Power Center, 11:00am.  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.

 

March 10: Look Good…Feel Better, Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital, 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: 1-800-ACS-2345.

 

March 11: Sibling Class, 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: $10.00 per family. Call: 866-581-3627.

 

March 12: Diabetes Group Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Auditorium, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 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.

 

March 15: Prepared Childbirth Class, Rapides Regional Medical Center Terrace Gallery Room, 9 a.m.-2 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.  Call: 318-769-4440.

 

March 15: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Seminar, Cabrini Outpatient Building Conference Room 3A/B, 9 a.m. Please pre-register.  Call: 866-581-3627.

 

March 15: Childbirth Class, Christus Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital 1st floor 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. Please pre-register.  Cost: $30.00. Call: 866-581-3627.

 

March 17: Cancer Support Group, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 12:00noon. 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.

 

March 17: 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. Call: 318-769-4440.

 

March 18:  Central Louisiana Civic Club Luncheon, Brumfield Caffey Annex, LSUA Campus, Noon.  The public is invited to attend the annual Civic Club Luncheon.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Sarah Black:  427-4407.

 

March 20: 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.

 

March 20: 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.

 

March 20: Pink Ribbon Club, Christus Cabrini Women’s Life Center, 5:30pm. This breast cancer support group is for education, advocacy and support of breast cancer patients and survivors.   Call: 866-581-3627.

 

March 20: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Support Group, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6:00pm. Please pre-register. Call: 866-581-3627.

 

March 21: Second Light Up The Night 5K, Rapides Cancer Center, 6:30 p.m. This 3.1-mile race begins and ends at the Rapides Cancer Center on the campus of Rapides Regional Medical Center. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Registration fee includes an event extreme-tek T-shirt. Registration ends 30 minutes prior to the start of the race. You may register online at imathlete.com, or visit rapidesregional.com for an entry form. Cost: $30.00.

 

March 22:  Hard Hats and High Heels Bash and Auction, Alexandria Riverfront Center, 7p.m.  Sponsored by Habitat for Humanity.  Presented by Red River Bank.  Live entertainment by Harmon Drew Super Group.  Cost:  $300 per table or $40 individual ticket.  Call Connie Cooper:  448-1921.

 

March 22:  Faces of Freedom M/C Ride, Renegade Harley Davison, 10a.m. departure.  Sponsored by Re-Entry Solutions.  Louisiana incarcerates more people than anywhere on the planet.  Come join us and be a “face of freedom.”  All proceeds helps to coordinate employment, housing and restoration of families affected.  Cost:  $20 donation.  Call Andre Christophe:  715-8178.

 

March 24: 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.

 

March 24: 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.

 

March 25: Diabetes Screening Day, Alexandria Mall, 8 a.m.-Noon. Held in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association’s annual Alert Day, participants will fill out a short survey, have their blood pressure and glucose measured, as well as height and weight assessments to calculate their BMI. Educational and nutritional information also will be available. No appointment is needed. Cost: Free. Call: 769-3445.

 

March 27: Professional Women’s Network Luncheon, Catering by Yolande, 12:00pm. This month’s guest speaker will be Babs Zimmerman Leggett. Please RSVP.  Cost: $10.00 for members.  Call: 318-445-0446.

 

March 27: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, Rapides Regional Medical Center Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 6:00pm.  . Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Call: (800) 644-9730.

 

March 29:  8th Annual Arts & Healthcare Follies & Art Exhibit, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 6:30p.m.  Signature fundraising event for Arts and Healthcare, Inc. featuring local doctors and healthcare professionals performing onstage and exhibiting over 100 pieces of original art.  This event helps to fund healing arts programs in our local healthcare facilities.  Open to the public.  Cost:  $50 patron ticket includes reserved seating and post-show party, $15 general admission.  Call Judy Ginsburgh:  769-7602.

 

April 1 – 19:  Easter Bunny Visits, JC Penney Court, 10a.m.-7p.m.  Sponsored by Alexandria Mall.  Visits and portraits with the Easter Bunny and live rabbits.  Cost:  Visit free; regular portrait fees apply.  Call Mall Office:  264-8064.  www.alexandriamall.com

 

April 5:  Spring Herb Day Arts and Crafts Festival, Kent Plantation House, 8a.m.-1p.m.  Come browse our fine selection of flowers and herbs and get expert advice from local Garden Club and Herb Society members.  Roses for sale by Cenla Rose Society.  A large assortment of locally made arts and crafts will be available for purchase.  Lunch sales on site.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Kent Plantation House:  487-5998.

 

April 5: Garden District Wide Fundraiser Yard Sale, Alexandria Garden District, 8:00am-1:00pm.  Come shop a host of yard sales throughout the Garden District from Bolton Ave to Texas Ave, Monroe St to Lee St and Masonic Avenue on the same day!  Maps detailing registered locations will be available.  All profits from sale registrations benefit the Garden District Neighborhood Foundation.  Call: 318-229-7613.

 

April 5:  Start A Heart Cenla, Alexandria Riverfront Center, 8-11a.m.  Bystander CPR Training will teach participants how to perform Hands-Only CPR for adults, perform child and infant CPR, relieve choking in adults, children and infants, use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and recognize the signs and symptoms of stroke.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call David Melancon:  880-7944.  www.startaheartcenla.org.

 

 

Sports

March 11, 18 and 25:  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.

 

March 18:  Hixson Ford Pro-Am Golf Tournament, OakWing Golf Club, assigned tee times.  Sponsored by Hixson Ford and Children’s Miracle Network.  A fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network.  Each team will play with a professional golfer from the Adams Golf Pro Tour.  Golfers will receive invitations to the Pro-Am Golf Party on Monday, March 17, and the Pro-Am Awards Party on Thursday, March 20.  Cost:  $1,000 per team of three amateurs and one professional golfer.  Call Craig Campo:  561-0260.

 

March 19-22:  2014 Coca-Cola/Wal-Mart Open, OakWing Golf Club, time:  TBA.  Sponsored by Adams Golf Pro Tour and Children’s Miracle Network.  Alexandria will host the Adams Golf Coca-Cola/Wal-Mart Professional Golf Tournament.  Approximately 150 professional golfers will participate in the tournament.  Spectators are welcome.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Craig Campo:  561-0260.

 

March 21:  Free Kids Golf Clinic-Adams Golf Pro Tour, OakWing Golf Club, 5p.m.  Sponsored by Adams Golf Pro Tour and Children’s Miracle Network.  The Junior Golf Clinic is an opportunity for area youth to swing with the pros.  It is available to kids between the ages of 7-17.  Participants must bring their own golf clubs.  Cost:  Admission free.  Call Craig Campo:  561-0260.

 

March 22: Freedom Run in Color!, Fort Randolph Historic Site, 8:00am.  In celebration of our troops safe return from deployment, the Alexandria VA Health Care System in conjunction with Team Red, White & Blue is sponsoring a color fun run/walk.  The post-race party will feature a BBQ competition, music and activities for all ages as we honor our veterans!  Call: 318-290-0844, 318-466-2799 or 318-466-2854.

 

April 5: Fly Fishing 101, LDWF Woodworth Outdoors Center, 661 Robinson Rd, Woodworth, 8:30am – 12:30pm.  eminar on the basics of fly fishing including tackle, terminology, flies. Hands-on instruction in casting, leaders and knots. Sponsored by Kisatchie Fly Fishers. Handouts and refreshments provided.  Please pre-register.  Cost: Free.  Call: 318-793-5855.  www.kisatchiefly.org