Art

 Ongoing-October 21: River Oaks Square Arts Exhibitions, River Oaks Square Arts Center (1330 2nd Street, Alexandria). Melanie Sherman is set to captivate audiences with her exhibition entitled, “Transitional Spaces: Navigating the In-Between” in the Bolton Davis Gallery. Artistic Director James Aubrey Bolen III offers an immersive experience into the heart of the Kisatchie National Forest with “Saunter” in the Galerie des Amis and Shannon Fender presents “People & Places” in the Stokes-Harris Gallery. Call: 318-473-2670. riveroaksartscenter.com

October 7: Figure Drawing in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art (933 2nd Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-3:00pm. This 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. This is a full day workshop. Bring a lunch or pick up something downtown. You must be 21 to attend this class. Cost: $60.00 AMoA Members; $80.00 Non-Members. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

October 10: 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

October 12-15: Plein Air Festival. Artists will be in the city as well as surrounding farms, nurseries and Kisatchie National Forest painting the abundant natural beauty of our area. Quick Paint participants will be set up within a designated area with a stamped blank canvas or paper and their supplies. Painting will start at the sound of the first horn. At the sound of the second horn, brushes must be placed down. The finished pieces may be sold off the easel or submitted to be hung at the museum. Catered Farm to Table Dinner to follow—separate tickets and registration needed. Call: 318-443-3458. themuseum.org

October 14: 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 7: Creativity Launch Pad—Acrylics, 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

October 14: Hope For Eternity, Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center (1202 3rd Street, Alexandria), 7:30pm. The Symphony will be joined by the Red River Chorale and the members of the UL Lafayette Chamber Singers to present Franz Xavier Sussmayr’s version of Mozart’s unfinished Requiem Mass. The Symphony will also perform Ralph Vaughan William’s “Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus,” a work that also has religious roots based on the hymn tune known as Kingsfold. An informational “Listen Up” presentation will begin at 6:45pm. Cost: $25.00 Adult; $15.00 Senior; $10.00 Student; $50.00 Family. Call: 318-442-9709. RapidesSymphony.org

Theatre

October 16: “The Only Doctor” Screening, Kress Theater (1102 Third Street, Alexandria), 7:00pm. The Arts Council presents the 2nd film in the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. “The Only Doctor” tells a contemporary story of rural healthcare in the United States as it centers on Dr. Karen Kinsell, who for nearly 20 years has been the only doctor in a Southwest Georgia county. Director, Matthew Hashiguchi, will join us for the screening and for some discussion afterward. Cost: $10.00. Call: 318-484-4474. louisiana-arts.org

October 26-29: SSP Spooky Spectacular, Kress Theater (1102 Third Street, Alexandria). Come be frightened, amused, bewildered and intrigued by an interesting collection of new plays and readings, classic selections and some previous crowd favorites, all with spooky themes. Adult language and themes.  Parental discretion suggested. Shows are at 7:30pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2:30pm on Sunday. Cost: $10.00.

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

Events

Ongoing-October: 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.

October 6, 13, 20, 27 & November 3: Live Auction, Hayes Auction Gallery (5212 North Blvd, Alexandria), 6:30pm. Join in the excitement of live auctions every Friday night with previews starting at 5:00pm! Proxy bids are welcome. Call Earl Hayes: 318-730-8676.

October 7: Fall Herb Day, Kent Plantation House (3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria), 8:00am-4:00pm. It’s time for the Kent House Annual Fall Herb Day, Arts & Crafts Festival and Yard Sale! There will be herbs, Fall bedding plants and flowers for sale, plenty of local vendors selling handmade arts & crafts, and sweets & goodies.  Don’t forget our yard sale full of treasures located inside the Visitor Center.  And don’t worry about breakfast, the Kent House will be selling its famous Biscuits & Syrup along with coffee. Cost: Free. Call: 318-487-5998.

October 7: Weatherization Application Assistance, Christian Love Baptist Church (3515 Hudson Blvd, Alexandria), 10:00am-2:00pm. At the Weatherization Application Assistance Event, CPEX staff, representatives from the Louisiana Housing Corporation and weatherization service providers will review applications to ensure all necessary information is complete before submission, answer questions, and collect applications. The goal of the Weatherization Assistance Program is to increase energy efficiency, reduce costs, and improve community health, safety, and comfort levels for Alexandria residents. The Weatherization Assistance Program saves qualified applicants an average of $413 per year in energy costs. Cost: Free.

October 7: TappedTober Craft Beer and Wine Festival, Natchitoches Riverfront, 1:00pm-10:00pm. The TappedTober Craft Beer and Wine Festival is back and bigger than ever! Family friendly with a kids zone, food trucks, craft beer, local wine, and featuring Country Music legend Tracy Lawrence. Sip and explore the many brews from local craft brewers as well as larger breweries from around the U.S. Enjoy a range of brews from sessionable ales to the more hop packed Hazy and Juicy IPAs. Presented by the Cane River Waterway Commission, all proceeds benefit Natchitoches Regional Medical Center Foundation and the NRMC Cancer Center. Cost: $31.00+. thetappedtober.com

October 7, 14, 21, 28 & November 4: 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.

October 7: 6th Annual Lip Sync Battle, Avalon Hotel & Suites (2301 N. MacArthur Drive, Alexandria), 6:30pm. Watch local talent show off their best costumed lip sync moves all to benefit Montessori Educational Center. In addition to the high energy show, the evening will feature both silent and live auctions, hors d’oeuvers, and a cash bar. Cost: $50.00 individual; $600 table for 10. MECAlex.org

October 9: Czechs in the Southern USA—History, Places and Opportunities for Further Research, Libuse Czech Hall (94 Industrial Rd, Pineville), 10:00am. Mr. Martin Nekola, researcher from the Czech Republic, will discuss researching the Czech communities of Libuse and Kolin. Light refreshments provided by members of the Louisiana Czech Heritage Association. Cost: Free.

October 9, 16, 23, 30 & November 6: Monday Night Bingo, Paragon Casino Resort Grand Hall (711 Paragon Place, Marksville), 6:00pm. Each Monday, join in for 10 games of bingo with up to $250 in free play up for grabs! The more you play, the more you can win! Space is limited, so grab your spot early. Registration begins at 5:00pm. Cost: Free for Club Paragon members. Call: 800-946-1946.

October 10, 17, 24, 31 & November 7: 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.

October 10, 16, 17, 24: Worm Farming with Windy Willows Garden, 4:00pm-5:30pm. Discover the secrets of vermicomposting. Worm farming is a fun and inexpensive way to recycle food waste and create the perfect organic fertilizer. Registration is required. 10/10: Boyce Branch; 10/16: Libuse Branch; 10/17: Robertson Branch; 10/24: Westside Regional. Call participating library branches for information. Cost: Free. www.rpl.org

October 11: 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.

October 12-14: Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, Zwolle Festival Grounds (1100 South Main Street, Zwolle). Get ready for a sizzling weekend of culture and cuisine as the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta returns! The Fiesta stands tall as one of Sabine Parish’s grandest traditions drawing over 15,000 visitors far and wide. With a rich blend of music, excitement, and an abundance of mouthwatering Tamales, this weekend promises unforgettable memories. Attendees can enjoy the carnival rides and concessions.

October 12, 19, 26: Thursday Night Trivia, Fighting Hand Brewery (1600 Military Hwy, Pineville), 7:00pm. October is Louisiana Archaeology Month, and we’ll have a couple of trivia rounds dedicated to archaeology movie and Louisiana archaeology knowledge! Teams of up to 6 players compete in 6 rounds of questions. 1st place participants who are drinking craft beer will receive one free pour. 2nd place participants who are drinking craft beer will receive one half-priced pour. Discounts may be applied when awarded or during your next visit. Discounts apply only to craft beer. Pet-friendly, on-leash required. Must be 21+ to enter. Cost: Free.

October 13: Candlelight on the Cane, Melrose on the Cane (3533 Highway 119, Melrose), 6:00pm. Tour with a Twist! Candlelight on the Cane offers a distinctively Natchitoches experience. Take a progressive guided journey through our Downtown Historic District, which includes a cruise along  picturesque Cane River Lake and the Rue Beauport Riverfront on the Cane River Queen Riverboat. Enjoy  entertainment, history, and specialty beverages at each site. Learn about the life and works of  Clementine Hunter, celebrate the 35th anniversary of the filming of Steel Magnolias, and more. Join us  for a full evening of history and cultural treasures that ends with a Wine & Cheese reception. Cost: $40.00. Call: 318-379-0055.

October 13-15: St. Augustine Creole Festival, St. Augustine Catholic Church (2262 LA-484, Natchez). Join St. Augustine Catholic Church in Cane River Country to enjoy delicious Creole cuisine, music, games, and family fun. Friday starts at 6:00pm and features a fish fry, and music by “Deep Water Rehab”. Saturday’s fun starts at 10:00am featuring a bike ride, stortyime, river tour, and Mass. Festival activities resume Sunday after 10:30am Mass. Cost: Free. Call: 318-652-4203.

October 14-31: FUMCA Pumpkin Patch, First United Methodist Church Alexandria (2727 Jackson Street, Alexandria). First United Methodist Church Alexandria’s annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser marks 25 years this October of the fall fruit appearing on its Jackson Street lot. Sales benefit ministries of FUMCA and Native American growers in New Mexico. The daily hours of operation are 11:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Saturday and noon to 6:00pm on Sundays. Call: 318-443-5696.

October 15: Melrose Fall Festival, Melrose on the Cane (3533 Highway 119, Melrose), 10:00am-3:00pm. Join us for the Melrose Fall Festival! There will be vendors selling handcrafted items. Also, a photo backdrop, food vendors, a portable park, and arts and crafts tables for the kids! Home tours will also be offered for an additional cost. Call: 318-379-0055.

October 19: Cenla Author’s Club Meeting, Mulder Hall at LSUA (8100 U.S. Highway 71, Alexandria), 6:00pm.  Cenla native and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Rebecca Wells will join the Cenla Authors Club via Zoom for a special author talk. Wells is the author of such works as “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” which was made into a major motion picture, and “Little Altars Everywhere.” Cost: Free.

October 19: Girl Talk, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room (501 Medical Center Dr, Alexandria), 6:00pm-8:00pm. Rapides Regional Medical Center offers 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. Please pre-register. Cost: $20.00 per family. Call: 318-769-3445.

October 20: Fall Artwalk 2023, Downtown Alexandria, 5:00pm-9:00pm. The streets of Downtown Alexandria come alive as local artists demonstrate and sell their works of art! Fall ArtWalk—held in the Downtown Cultural Arts District at 3rd St. & Murray—features artists and craft vendors offering handmade jewelry, original paintings, sculpture, pottery, children’s clothing, natural bath products, home décor, and more! Food vendors will also be on hand with a variety of delicious options & our community stage will feature local talent! Cost: Free. Call: 318-484-4475. louisiana-arts.org

October 21: FUMC Family Fun Day, First United Methodist Church Alexandria (2727 Jackson Street, Alexandria), 3:00pm-5:00pm. Family Fun Day will include activities such as a petting zoo, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, a photo booth, a scavenger hunt with prizes for the kids, and a water beads sensory pool. The Fun Day will also feature food trucks and pumpkin decorating station. Cost: Free. Call: 318-443-5696.

October 21: Zoo Boo, Alexandria Zoo (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 10:00am-6:00pm. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and interactive family fun at Cenla’s “wildest” family-friendly Halloween extravaganza. Trick-or-treat down Treat Street, have a skele-ton of fun with interactive games and a bubble dance party in the Funny Bones Zone, saddle up for some udderly awesome activities at Fall on the Farm, and meet some of your favorite characters along Fantasy Lane. Watch zoo animals get in on the fun with Halloween themed enrichment and hop aboard the train to see even more spooktacular scenery. Last entry at 4:00pm. Cost: $10.00 General Admission (ages 2+); $3.00 Train Rides (ages 2+); Fast Pass $25.00 (ages 2+, includes admission, all day Train Rides, and Express Entry into the Zoo). Call: 318-441-6810. thealexandriazoo.com

October 21: Boo at Bringhurst, Bringhurst Field (1 Babe Ruth Dr., Alexandria), 4:00pm-8:00pm. Bring the entire family for our first EVER Boo at Bringhurst event! Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Guaranteed fun for all ages! Activities include a gaming truck, foam machine, inflatable attractions and games, food trucks, music and more! Cost: Free. Call: 318-449-5225.

October 25: Intro to African American Genealogy, Boyce Wettermark Branch Library (1177 Wexford St, Boyce), 10:30am. Join the Rapides Parish Library and genealogist Pat Boone of the Alexandria Genealogical Museum and Library for an introduction to African American genealogical research. Learn the basics of navigating online genealogy sites to find family records and documents. Discover techniques and resources to overcome common obstacles in conducting African American family research. Registration required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-793-5954. www.rpl.org

October 27: Tales Along the Bayou, Kent Plantation House (3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria), 6:00pm–8:30pm. Have a ghoulishly good time at the Rapides Parish Library’s annual Halloween storytelling program! Enjoy musical entertainment from Brian and Terri Kinder, not-so-scary stories by master storyteller Sylvia Yancy Davis, and scare-your-socks-off stories by master storyteller Oba William King. This family-friendly evening includes face painting and food vendors. Rain location is the Westside Regional Library. Cost: Free. Call 318-445-2411. www.rpl.org

October 27: Moonlight Over Melrose, Melrose on the Cane (3533 Highway 119, Melrose), 6:00pm-9:00pm. Get ready for a bewitching evening of family-friendly fun! This enchanting event promises an array of thrilling activities and entertainment for all ages, making it the ultimate destination for Halloween enthusiasts. With a night full of treats and treasures, be sure to bring a bag to collect all the candy and goodies you’ll receive throughout the evening. Call: 318-379-0055.

October 28: Crush the Crisis, RRMC Medical Terrace Entrance (211 4th Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-2:00pm. Rapides Regional Medical Center and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office are partnering for Crush the Crisis Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Join us by dropping off any unneeded medications and prescription drugs from your house to prevent medication misuse. Cost: Free.

October 28: Magical Market, Embers (313 DeSoto Street, Alexandria), 10:00am-4:00pm. Magical Market is a Cenla 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 our unique creations. At Magical Market, all handcrafted makers are welcome. Open to all ages. Cost: Free. magicalmarketla.wordpress.com

October 28: Bishops & Bones, Martin Luther King, Jr. Branch Library (1115 Broadway Ave., Alexandria), 11:00am-2:00pm. Bring the family, youth group, or senior friends and join the community to learn, teach and play the royal game of chess and the ancient game of dominoes in a family-friendly setting. Perfect for ages 6 through adult. Cost: Free. Call 318-445-3912. www.rpl.org

November 4: 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.

November 4: 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

October 7: A Walk to Remember, Alexandria Zoo (3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria), 9:00am. The Walk to Remember is sponsored by the Healing Hearts Community Perinatal Loss Support Group. Cost: Free.

October 10, 17, 24, 31 & November 7: 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

October 29: ACDS Monster Day 5K & Fun Run, England Airpark Community Center (1718 Kegleman Blvd, Alexandria), 10:00am. Join the Annual Monster Dash 5K and one-mile Fun Run! Race in the competitive 5K or enjoy trick-or-treating along the route of the one-mile Fun Run/Walk. Trunk or Treat will be open to the community after the race for everyone to enjoy! The 5K top 3 overall male runners and top 3 overall female runners will all be recognized! Costume contest, Pumpkin contest, Food and drinks available for purchase, and more! Call: 318-448-1475.

*All events subject to change.