Art

Ongoing-January 10: Metamorphosis, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). Internationally award-winning artist Eric Hess of Sanctuary Arts School in Shreveport brings his new project titled Metamorphosis to AMoA starting in November. You will not want to miss this collection of 17 works of art created by eco-conscious artists from around Louisiana who create art from usually discarded materials including wood, metal, glass, plastic, paper, and found objects. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Ongoing-February 3: River Oaks Square Arts Exhibitions, River Oaks Square Arts Center (1330 2nd Street, Alexandria). The 8th Annual 5x5x5 Show National Call for Miniature Works returns with Guest Juror, Tom Richard. Charissa Owens presents, “L’amour de la Vie,” a tribute to “The Love of Living,” in the Galerie des Amis along with the 2023 Art for All Ceramics and Painting Outreach Program Exhibition in the Stokes-Harris Gallery. Call: 318-473-2670. riveroaksartscenter.com

Ongoing-February 17: The Global Language of Headwear, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria). The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality explores the vital role of ceremonial headwear throughout diverse cultural customs, beliefs, and rituals. The exhibit features approximately 89 hats and headdresses from 43 different countries spanning five continents. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

November 11: 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

November 11: Up-Cycled Art Hat Workshop, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-4:00pm. Visiting artist Nancy Judd, of Recycle Runway, creates couture fashion sculptures made from trash to stimulate conversation, action, and education about how we live on the planet. For this unique and fun workshop that combines art, fashion, and eco-consciousness, she will lead participants in creating beautiful and fun hats from waste materials collected in our community. This workshop is intended for adults and children 10 and up. Registration includes lunch. Cost: $25.00 AMoA members, $30.00 non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

November 14: Creatives 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

December 2: River Oaks Annual Porch Sale, River Oaks Square Arts Center (1330 2nd Street, Alexandria), 9:00am-2:00pm. Get a jump on your holiday shopping at River Oaks! Cost: Free. Call: 318-473-2670. riveroaksartscenter.com

December 5: 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

December 7: Renegade Tour with Santa, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 5:30pm-7:30pm. Join AMoA guest tour guide Santa Claus for a Renegade tour of current exhibition The Global Language of Headwear: Cultural Identity, Rites of Passage, and Spirituality. Renegade tours are led by selected community members and offer unconventional tour experiences at AMoA. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

Music

November 14: Kings, Queens, and the King of Instruments, St. James Episcopal Church (1620 Murray Street, Alexandria), 7:00pm. St. James Episcopal Church Concert Series welcomes Westminster Abbey’s Sub-Organist, Peter Holder in concert. Mr. Holder was principal organist for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the coronations of their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Cost: Free. Call: 318-445-9845.

December 3: Tidings of Comfort and Joy, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd Street, Alexandria), 2:30pm. The Symphony will be joined by the Louisiana Christian University Chorale in traditional holiday music, including familiar carols, music from holiday-themed movies like Home Alone and The Polar Express, and our traditional audience sing-along. This concert also features seven of our region’s best high-school aged musicians in our “Side by Side” program. Cost: $25.00 Adult; $15.00 Senior; $10.00 Student; $50.00 Family. Call: 318-442-9709. RapidesSymphony.org

December 10: DRUMLine Live! Holiday Spectacular, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd Street, Alexandria), 6:00pm. The “DRUMLine Live Holiday Spectacular” takes you on an unforgettable musical journey through the most beloved chart-topping holiday classics. Imagine the festive sounds of holiday cheer combining Gospel, Jazz, Soul, Motown rhythms, and The Nutcracker Suite mixed with a hip-hop beat and the driving force of a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching band. Cost: $20.00-$37.00 Adults; $15.00 Students. louisiana-arts.org

Theatre

November 9-19: August: Osage County, Hearn Stage at Kress Theater (1102 Third Street, Alexandria). City Park Players is thrilled to present the acclaimed dark comedy August: Osage County by Tracy Letts. Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best New Play, August: Osage County centers around the Weston family, brought together after their patriarch, world-class poet and alcoholic Beverly Weston, disappears. Holed up in the large family estate in Osage County, Oklahoma, tensions heat up and boil over in the ruthless August heat. Bursting with humor, vivacity, and intelligence, August: Osage County is both dense and funny, vicious and compassionate, enormous and unstoppable. 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

November 10-12: Sister Act the Musical, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd St., Alexandria). Join ASH Theatre as they present the musical based on the hit 1992 film of the same name with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and additional material by Douglas Carter Beane. Directed by Alana Pate. Performances begin at 7:00pm Friday and Saturday; Sunday matinee at 2:00pm. Cost: $15.00 General Admission; $12.00 Senior Citizens/Military; $10.00 Students. ASHtheatre.com

November 16-18: Agnes of God, Richard Gwartney Theatre-Muller Hall (8100 Hwy. 71, Alexandria). Empty Space Players present “Agnes of God”. Summoned to a convent, Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court-appointed psychiatrist, is charged with assessing the sanity of a novice, Agnes, accused of murdering her newborn. The Mother Superior determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, further arousing Livingstone’s suspicions. Who killed the infant, and who fathered the tiny victim? Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love, leading to a dramatic, compelling climax. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30pm; Sunday matinee is at 2:30pm. This play is for mature audiences only. Cost: $10.00; LSUA Students Free (w/ ID). ticket-central.org

November 25-26: The Nutcracker, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd Street, Alexandria). Red River Dance Theatre Company presents its annual production of Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic. With magical moments from Drosselmeyer, curiosity and persistence of a young girl, an epic battle scene with a toy hero that saves the day and dazzling snowflakes, one can’t help but beam with delight. Performances begin daily at 2:00pm; Saturday evening performance begins at 7:00pm. Cost: $20.00. redriverdance.org

Events

Ongoing-November: 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.

November 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.

November 10: Cenla VIP Lip Sync Battle, Alexandria Convention Hall (915 3rd Street, Alexandria), 6:30pm-10:00pm. See local VIPs go head-to-head in a lip sync battle to support AmVets Post 7. It will be an epic showdown of talent for a great cause! Cost: $30.00.

November 11: Sugar Day Festival, Kent Plantation House (3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria), 9:00am-4:00pm. Sugar Day is a family friendly festival featuring handmade arts, crafts and food, local musicians, vintage dancers, children’s activities, and more.  The main attraction is the actual process of sugar making, which is done in a reproduction 1840s sugar mill. Cost: $5.00. Call: 318-487-5998. kenthouse.org

November 11, 18, 25 & December 2: Live Gator Feeding Shows, Paragon Casino Resort Gator Bayou (711 Paragon Place, Marksville), 1:00pm & 4:00pm. Visitors can enjoy educational and entertaining 30-minute live-feeding with the alligators in the “Gator Bayou” located inside the hotel’s atrium. Photo opportunities with a baby alligator and a “holding” snake will take place after each show. During these shows, gator specialist Gary Saurage will share fascinating facts about Louisiana’s signature bayou dwellers and Louisiana culture. Cost: Free. Call: 800-946-1946.

November 14: Professional Women’s Network of Cenla, Brocato’s (5515 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria), 12:00pm-1:00pm. The Professional Women’s Network of Cenla (PWN) meets on the 2nd Monday of each month. Lunch is available for purchase prior to meeting. No reservations required. Call: 318-880-3033.

November 14, 21, 28 & December 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.

November 15: America Recycles Day, Glass Act Recycling Center (5215-B Leo Street, Alexandria), 7:30am-5:30pm. Shining light on the local recycling movement, the event will also fulfill ARD’s mission of educating and motivating current and would-be recyclers, aiming to make recycling bigger and better. Drop off your rinsed glass bottles and jars to be crushed and repurposed into abrasives (for sandblasting) or pool filtration media and enjoy Breakfast with Annie, Grillin’ for Glass, and Cookies and Lemonade on Leo Street. Cost: Free. Call: 318-623-7942. glassactrecycling.com

November 16: Cenla Author’s Club Meeting, Westside Regional Library (5416 Provine Pl, Alexandria), 6:00pm. Author Peter Wolf from New Orleans will speak on his truly wonderful new biography of Louis Moreau Gottschalk, internationally known composer and piano virtuoso who lived in New Orleans. Cost: Free.

November 18: Turn on the Holidays, Downtown Historic Natchitoches Riverbank, 4:00pm-10:00pm. Join us for the official start to the Natchitoches Christmas season, lighted through January 6th. This event features musical entertainment and fireworks along with a holiday open house for businesses in the Historic District Business Association. The Kelli Roberts Band and Louisiana Red will take the stage on either side of the fireworks display. Cost: $10.00 (Riverbank admission after 1:00pm); Before 1:00pm and kids 6 and under Free. natchitocheschristmas.com

November 20: Healing Hearts Christmas Memorial Tree, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Atrium (501 Medical Center Dr, Alexandria), 6:00pm.  A memorial tree sponsored by the Healing Hearts Perinatal Loss Support Group. Participants will have the opportunity to make two ornaments, one to decorate the Memory Tree, and one to bring home. Cost: Free. Call: 318-769-7569.

November 24-December 28: Holiday Light Safari, Alexandria Zoo (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 5:30pm-8:30pm. Create wonderful holiday memories with a casual stroll through the Zoo’s colorful environment sparkling with thousands of lights and whimsical lighted animal figures. Holiday Light Safari will be open Nov. 24-26; Dec. 15-17; Dec. 1-3; Dec. 20-23; Dec. 8-10; and Dec. 26-28. Holiday Light Safari is a separately-ticketed event; FOTAZ Memberships and other Zoo Passes are not valid during Holiday Light Safari. Cost: $10.00 Adults; $8.00 Children (ages 2-12); Infants under 2 Free. Call: 318-441-6810. thealexandriazoo.com

November 25: 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.

November 29: SBA Lender Match Event, Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce (1118 3rd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-12:00pm. The U.S. Small Business Administration, Louisiana District Office and local/regional lenders will be on hand to provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse lending products designed to support business owners in securing the funding they need for both startup and expansion endeavors. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversations with these lenders. A light continental breakfast will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-545-5077. louisianasbdc.org

November 30-December 2: AlexWinterFete, Downtown Alexandria. The award-winning holiday festival AlexWinterFête returns offering a fun-filled, family-friendly festival filled with the activities that have made the event a major attraction, including ice skating, Indie Village, Jolly Junction, Santa Claus, and a fireworks display. Interact with talented stilt walkers, fire breathers, enjoy live music, shopping and food trucks! Cost: Free. www.alexwinterfete.com

December 2: 97th Annual Christmas Festival, Downtown Historic Natchitoches Riverbank, 7:00am-7:00pm. Come to Louisiana’s premiere holiday event. Celebrate the Christmas season in Louisiana’s oldest city. Enjoy our daylong festival filled with music, entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, and our famous firework show choreographed to holiday music over Cane River Lake. The Mistletoe Market will open at 7:00am; the Festival of Lights Parade rolls at 1:00pm; Pete & Paul Band at 2:30pm; Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs at 5:00pm; and Fireworks over Cane River Lake at 6:00pm! Cost: $10.00 adults; Ages 6 and under Free. natchitocheschristmas.com

December 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.

December 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.

Sports

November 14, 21, 28 & December 5: 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.