Art

Ongoing-June 26: She Persisted: Louisiana Women in Art, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). The Alexandria Museum of Art is celebrating Louisiana female artists in honor of the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment. Postponed from 2020, this exhibition will now open during the 2021 International Women’s Day Celebration. “She Persisted” features both nationally recognized and lesser-known female artists in our state whose talent and persistence broke through generations of male-favored systems in art. From Newcomb to up and coming artists, AMoA has selected just a small portion of the outstanding female artists to showcase the incredible work that has been and is being created by amazing women in our state. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

May 20: “She Persisted” Renegade Tour, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Art lover, successful attorney, business owner and former political candidate, Catherine Davidson will lead a tour of this exhibition featuring Louisiana women artists. This woman who has broken through many challenges faced by women with a commitment to authenticity will lead this tour viewing the works through the lens of her experiences offering a unique experience for participants. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

May 22: Figure Drawing In The Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-4:00pm. This full-day adult workshop will focus on learning how to draw the human figure including capturing gesture, form, shading and technique. Instruction will include warm-up exercises, short and long pose compositions with a live model. All supplies are included. Registration is required before Monday, May 17th. Bring a lunch or pick up something downtown. You must be 21 to attend this class. Cost: $60.00 Members; $80.00 Non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

June 7: Free Access Mondays, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-2:00pm. Each first Monday of the month, AMoA is opening the doors to the galleries for those with disabilities and special needs including those on the ASD spectrum, and their families and caregivers. A special interactive station is available for educational stimulation, experimentation with writing and drawing prompts, textures, communication cards to assist in your visit. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Music

May 22: Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival, Downtown Historic Natchitoches Riverbank, 1:00pm-11:00pm. This year’s festival will feature 17 bands, three stages in an all-day, into-the-night rocking good time! VIP ticketholders enjoy exclusive access to prime fenced-in viewing area directly in front of and to the side of the main stage, with some limited seating directly adjacent to the stage. VIP ticket holders also have access to bathrooms and exclusive access to a cash bar! Cost: $30.00 General Admission; $15.00 Students; $100 VIP; Kids Under 12 & Active Military Free.

May 28: The Magnolia Sisters in Concert, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. In keeping with our celebration of powerful women, join us for another outdoor concert featuring Cajun music and melodies by Louisiana’s own Ann Savoy and The Magnolia Sisters. The band, having toured extensively in Europe and the US as a two-time Grammy nominee, The Magnolia Sisters will present twin fiddle tunes, ballads, dancehall two steps, and a fun-filled evening of the entire panorama of Louisiana music.  The members of the group are Ann Savoy, Jane Vidrine, Anya Burgess, and Lisa Trahan. Each brings to the ensemble her own rich individual experience as a Louisiana musician, mother, and woman in the real world. The common ground is the music, the heritage, and the feeling that comes across. Cost: $15.00. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org.

Theatre

May 6-9: Seussical the Musical, Pineville High School (1511 Line Street, Pineville). Join Pineville High School Theatre as they present “Seussical The Musical”, a fantastical, magical, musical adventure with many of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, Mayzie La Bird, and a little boy with a big imagination, Jojo! The colorful characters transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos. Sure to bedazzle with fun for all ages, you don’t want to miss Seussical The Musical! pinevillehightheatre.com

May 11: Killer Cake Competition, Tunk’s Cypress Inn (9507 Louisiana 28, Boyce), 6:30pm. Live entertainment brought to your table! The Unusual Suspects are baking up some sweet treats (with a side of murder!) in their newest play, “Killer Cake Competition”! Join the cast of wacky characters at Tunk’s Cypress Inn for an evening of outrageous comedy, delicious food and murder! This event is a live dinner theater that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It is for ages 21+. While audience participation is encouraged, it is not required. This event is a dinner theater, not an interactive murder mystery. Cost: $50.00.

May 13-16: Cirque Italia, Alexandria Mall (3437 Masonic Dr, Alexandria). Have you ever dreamed of going on an epic pirate adventure and discovering a buried treasure? Cirque Italia is giving you the opportunity to come along on this thrilling quest in their brand-new production featuring swashbucklers balancing upside down on a rum barrel, juggling knives, and even one having a run-in with a mermaid. Your jaws will be dropped and you will be hanging on the edge of your seats with our suspenseful Crossbow act and our dangerous Wheel of Death performances. Cost: $10.00 – $40.00. Call or Text: 941-704-8572. cirqueitalia.com

May 15: Cabaret Of Unity & Finalé 2021, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd St., Alexandria), 7:00pm. The Cabaret of Unity is a multi-media presentation! During quarantine, our cabaret performers learned songs and dances online and came together in a safe outdoor environment to film their performances. In this multi-media event, you will hear the performers singing songs of friendship, love, understanding, hope and peace—live onstage—while the videos are projected above them! Also, join our voice students of all ages in their end of the year recital, singing Italian Art Songs and Musical Theatre favorites. It is an evening that celebrates everything about the hopeful end of quarantined theatre! It’s sure to bring a smile to your face and hope to your heart! Cost: $10.00.

Events

Ongoing-May: 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.

May 7-8: 13th Annual El Camino Real Sale on the Trail, Historic El Camino Real de los Tejas. Follow the trail through the Caddo region which stretches from LA Hwy 6 in Natchitoches to TX Hwy 21 into Nacogdoches, TX. Along the trail, shoppers will find new and used items sold by local businesses and private individuals. If you are a shopping warrior, collector or just looking for fun, a weekend shopping the trail is a wonderful way to take advantage of the beautiful spring scenery and historical markers along the El Camino Real. In Natchitoches, shoppers will find vendors in the following locations: Natchitoches Historic District Shops: Tres Bien, Cane River Kitchenware, Pied a Terre, Southern Necessities and others; Dark Woods Adventure Par ; Manning Mini Storage; Little Red Barn Boutique in Robeline; Hillside Antiques in Robeline; Downtown at Natchitoches Farmers Market (Saturday only). A complete list of vendor locations plotted in a Google map is available online at VisitElCaminoReal.com. Call: 318-352-8072.

May 10, 17, 24, 31 & June 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.

May 11, 18, 25: Let’s Learn Art, King Branch Library (1115 Broadway Ave, Alexandria), 5:00pm-6:00pm. Children will enjoy learning a variety of foundational art skills in this six week outdoor art class series sponsored and taught by Sankofa Cultural Collective. Call: 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org

May 19: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center on the Greens (90 Harold Miles Park, Boyce), 12:00pm. Our Speaker, Marsha Inman, from Fort Worth, will present “Are you Ready?” As a special feature, we will have musical entertainment. Invite a friend and join us for a delicious lunch and an inspiration message. We are abiding by CDC guidelines for restaurants to prevent the spread of Covid-19. So wear a mask, social distance of at least six feet and hand washing encouraged.  We will have hand sanitizer as well. So come and join us. Please RSVP by Friday, May 14th. Cost: $16.00. Call: 318-790-0415 or Email: [email protected].

May 22: APD New Hire Physical Testing, Alexandria Senior High Football Stadium, 9:00am. The Alexandria Police Department will host a physical fitness assessment session for those interested in becoming police officers. The APD application process requires candidates to pass a physical fitness assessment which includes a 1.5 mile timed run, 1-minute of push-ups and 1-minute of sit-ups. Individuals may take the assessment even if they have not yet completed the civil service exam or submitted an application. Passing scores will be valid for up to six months. Police Academy staff members will be on hand to provide tips and pointers to help participants improve their scores and answer questions. Call: 318-441-6429.

May 29: Fifth Ward/Moncla KC Council 9418 Memorial Day Observance, Veterans’ Memorial Monuments (1924 Highway 1, Marksville), 9:00am. Fifth Ward/Moncla KC Council 9418 invites the community to join them for a short program to remember our fallen soldiers. Join us as we remember why the saying “Freedom Is Not Free”. Cost: Free.

May 29: 5th Saturday Market on Main Street, Main Street in Pineville, 9:00am-2:00pm. 5th Saturday Market is back! Come out and enjoy live music, local arts & craft vendors, yoga and delicious food! Cost: Free. www.pineville.net

June 1-4: Ocean Camp, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum (1403 3rd Street, Alexandria), 9:00am-12:00pm. Students will learn about a variety of ocean animals and their habitats. We will explore the zones of the sea. We will learn about conservation and protecting our oceans. Summer camps are for ages 4-12 and campers should bring their own water bottle daily. Extended care is available for an additional fee. Cost: $85.00 Members; $95.00 Non-members. Call: 318-619-9394.

June 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.

June 7-11: River Oaks Summer Arts Studio Session 1, River Oaks Square (1330 Second Street, Alexandria). In Summer Arts Studio, the COVID Years Season 2, Episode 1  SAS campers and staff are excited to act in the Studios! Everyone is getting ready for the Big Luau on Thursday. With only a week to get mixed media and paintings projects finished, campers are forced to make real time creative decisions. Core Curriculum: Painting, 2D & 3D Mixed Media. The Themed Thursday will be The River Luau. Morning and Afternoon Snack provided. Pre-registration is required. Additional all-day option is available for an additional fee. Cost: $180 per camper. Call: 318-473-2670.

Sports

May 8, 15, 22, 29 & June 5: Saturday Morning Qi Gong, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:30am. The Alexandria Museum of Art and Rapides Regional Medical Center have partnered to present Healthy Living @AMoA. Paul Nettles of The Levee Tai Chi School leads a class in Qi Gong, which is an ancient system of coordinated body postures and movements combined with deep breathing and meditation. It is used to stimulate good health, spirituality, and a state of calm mindfulness. Masks are required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458.

May 11, 18, 25 & June 1: 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.

May 14: Pineville Rotary Club Annual Golf Tournament, Oak Wing Golf Club (2345 Vandenburg Drive, Alexandria), 1:00pm.  Rotary Club of Pineville is proud to once again bring the Premier Golf Event to the Central Louisiana community. Please join in for this fun experience featuring memorial contests honoring beloved Club Charter Members Gary Grand and Dr. Ted Lowrey. Proceeds fund Pineville Rotary’s commitment to youth enrichment projects, primarily in enhanced educational and recreational opportunities. A crucial project is the Club’s work to sustain seven (7!) school closets in elementary schools educating high numbers of children in deep poverty. The closets provide free school uniforms, underwear, warm clothing shoes and other personal items. Cost: $500 per 4-person team. Call: 318-730-1043.

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