Arts
Ongoing-September: Arts & Healthcare, Inc. Art Exhibits. Arts & Healthcare, Inc. will feature the art of Flo Fessler at the Christus Gallery for Reflection and Healing, Cabrini Outpatient Center, 1st floor across from Radiology. The art of Denice Jones is being featured at the Rapides Gallery located in the South Tower between the ER and the lobby. Paint Pink, an exhibit dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness and featuring local artists will open at both galleries on October 1st. These exhibits are open to the public. Cost: Free. Call: 318-769-7602. www.artsandhealthcare.org
September 4-November 21: 28th AMoA September Competition, Alexandria Museum of Art. Opening Reception and Member Preview will be held Friday, September 4th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. Call: 318-443-3458. www.themuseum.org
September 19: Family Art Class, Alexandria Museum of Art, 1p.m. – 3p.m. Bring the whole family or just your kid at heart and enjoy this wonderful art experience. Cost: Free for AMoA member families (up to 4); $20 for non-members. Call Cindy Blair: 318-443-3458 to sign up.
Music
September 17: Acoustic Concert Series, Alexandria Museum of Art, 6:30p.m. – 8:30p.m. Live music, food, and fun! Join us on third Thursdays for the AMoA’s most popular recurring social event. Enjoy lively conversations with friends, connect with art, listen to music of local musicians, and snack on tasty food and drink every third Thursday at AMoA. Cost: Free to AMoA members; $4 for non-members. Call Gar Pickering: 318-443-3458.
September 25: Rhythm & Rhymes: Spoken Word Performing Arts Series, Alexandria Museum of Art, 7:00pm-9:00pm. Musical and spoken word performances, including open mic and featured performers, are presented AMoA, promoting the art of spoken word and self-expression, and creating opportunities for poets. Featuring Alexandria native and accomplished slam poet Sha’Condria Sibley. Cost: Members free; $4.00 for non-members. Call: 318-443-3458. www.themuseum.org
September 26: 5th Annual Gospel Jubilee, Rebel State Historic Site, 6:00pm. Rebel State Historic Site’s Gospel Jubilee is a showcase of the Sabine and Winn parish area’s premier Gospel artists as well as artists from other areas. Cost: $4.00 (adults 13 to 61); Free (children, seniors and school groups). Call: 888-677-3600.
Events
Ongoing – September 30: Library Card Sign-Up Month, All locations, during hours of operation. Sponsored by Rapides Parish Library. Want to travel the world? How about learn how to use a 3D printer? Or maybe you just want to download a new e-book to your tablet. Well you can do all that and more with a free library card! It’s what makes a library card the most valuable card in your wallet! Cost: Free. Call Suzanne DeKeyzer: 318-445-2411 x 1060.
September 4-5: Cane River Zydeco Festival & Poker Run, Downtown Historic Natchitoches. All musical events are held on the downtown stage in the historic district. Poker Run events will cover specified 80-100 mile routes throughout Natchitoches Parish, including Kisatchie National Forest and along the scenic Cane River Lake past historic plantations. Best poker hand wins a cash prize. Cost: Friday Free; Saturday $7.00. www.natchitoches.net
September 4 – November 21: 28th September Competition Exhibit, Alexandria Museum of Art, during Museum hours. Opening reception and member preview: Friday, September 4 from 6p.m. -8p.m. Call Alexandria Museum of Art: 318-443-3458.
September 4 – November 21: Jerry and Pat Carr: Our Fragile Home Exhibit, Alexandria Museum of Art, during Museum hours. Opening reception and member preview: Friday, September 4th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Call Alexandria Museum of Art: 318-443-3458.
September 5: Breastfeeding Class, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 9:00am-1:00pm. This class is taught by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and focuses on the benefits, techniques and concerns of breastfeeding. The father/support partner is welcome. Please pre-register. Cost: $20. Call: 866-581-3627.
September 8: Living With Type 2 Diabetes Support Group, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 5:30pm-6:30pm. This is a support group for Type 2 diabetics and their families. It is a forum used to educate the Type 2 diabetics on everyday topics such as diabetes self-management, eating out challenges, consistent healthy eating habits, exercise/activity and stress management. There will be two 30-minute sessions per class: educational session then open discussion with Q&A session. Cost: Free. Call: 318-769-3445.
September 8: Sibling Class, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6:00pm-8:00pm. This class is a fun, interactive class designed specifically for young siblings who are expecting a new baby in the home. Please pre-register. Cost: $10 per family. Call: 866-581-3627.
September 8: Relay for Life Meeting, Red River Bank Main Branch 2nd Floor Conference Room, 5:30pm. Relay for Life is not just a race. It is the American Cancer Society’s biggest fundraiser with proceeds benefitting cancer patients in Rapides Parish. Anyone interested in forming a fundraising team is invitied to attend. Call Kristin Franks: 318-528-9993.
September 9: Miracle Jeans Day, Area businesses and Rapides Parish Schools, 8a.m. – 5p.m. Sponsored by Christus Cabrini Foundation. “Miracle Jeans Day” gives companies, organizations, schools, and individuals an opportunity to come together in a casual way to support Children’s Miracle Network at Cabrini Hospital just by wearing jeans to work or school. It is a fun way to involve employees and students to help raise funds for their local children’s hospital. Cost: $5 donation. Call: 318-448-6580.
September 9: Diabetes Group Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Auditorium, 9:00am-12:00noon. This program is 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; pre-registration is required. Cost: Free. Call: 318-769-3445.
September 9: Mom’s Club of Alexandria, Westside Regional Library, 10:00am. Moms in the area join us for snack and play time with your kids while we hear about the women’s closet exchange from special guest Aileen Ashley and discuss next month’s events. No RSVP necessary. Cost: Free.
September 9: Child Safety Seat Check, RRMC Medical Terrace driveway, 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 correctly install the car seat. The car seat check process takes between 1 to -25 minutes, depending on how many car seats are in the vehicle. Cost: Free.
September 10: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Seminar, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6:00pm. Please pre-register. Call: 866-581-3627.
September 11: Sharpie Tie Dye T-Shirts, Boyce Branch Library, 3:30pm. Teens—dig out a t-shirt that you’d like to make-over into something cool and groovy! Using colorful Sharpie pens, we’ll create something spectacular. Cost: Free. Call: 318-793-2182. www.rpl.org
September 11: Renegade Salutes Our Heroes, Renegade Harley-Davidson, 6:30pm. Join Renegade Harley-Davidson as they honor the men and women who lay their life on the line every day. Featuring local motor police presentation of the colors and bagpipes, live music by Leanne Bridges Band and food by Bayou Classic BBQ. Call: 866-751-2720.
September 12: Second Saturday at the Museum, Alexandria Museum of Art, 10:00am-2:00pm. Second Saturday Market each month includes different art activities for kids. Kids and families enjoy exploring the Museum’s exhibitions, creating art projects together, and discovering their creativity with “Experimentation Stations” designed to let participants get hands-on with different art techniques. Cost: Free admission every second Saturday. Call Alexandria Museum of Art: 318-443-3458.
September 12: Wings Over Natchitoches Air Show, Natchitoches Regional Airport, 10:30am. This family friendly event will feature aerobatic pilots, including the Hall of Fame Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, U.S. National Competitor Kevin Coleman, P-51 Aerobatic Demonstration, Charlotte’s Chariot and more! Cost: Free. www.wingsovernatchitoches.org
September 14: The Good Mourning Widowed Support Group, Cabrini Mediplex Serenity Room, 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: 318-448-6938.
September 14: Look Good…Feel Better, Rapides Cancer Center, 11:30am-1:30pm. 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 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. Cost: Free. Call: 337-433-5131.
September 14: Bereaved Parents Support Group, Cabrini Mediplex Serenity Room, 6:30pm-7:30pm. This is an on-going support group for parents, grandparents whose child has died. Bereaved Parents Support Group has trained outreach volunteers who are available to the newly grieving parent or grandparent. Brown bag supper begins at 6:00pm. Check out our Facebook page: Bereaved Parents of Cenla. Pre-registration is required. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
September 14: Suicide Support Group, Cabrini Mediplex, 6:30pm-7:30pm. This group will be facilitated by Dr. Lee Weems. Pre-registration is required. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
September 16: Cenla Women’s Connection Luncheon, Conference Center at the Greens, 12:00pm. This month’s program features include “A Life Exchanged” presented by Yvonne King and Hypergraphics with Marsha Marcantel. Please pre-register by Friday, September 11th. Cost: $16.00. Call: 318-481-7880.
September 17: A Perfect Fit Foundation Pancake Breakfast, St. James Episcopal Church in Alexandria, 6:30am-11:00am. Enjoy a delicious short stack of pancakes, breakfast sausage and a beverage while supporting a great cause! Dine-in or carry-out. Free delivery in the Alexandria/Pineville area for orders of 15 or more. Sponsored by A Perfect Fit Foundation, La Capitol Federal Credit Union, Central Louisiana Community Foundation, St. James Episcopal Church and Cenla Focus. All proceeds go to buy well-fitted, uniform approved school shoes for underprivileged elementary students in Rapides Parish. Cost: $7.00. Call: 318-442-8277.
September 17: Parkinson’s Support Group, Cabrini Mediplex Serenity Room, 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. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
September 17: Pink Ribbon Club, Christus Cabrini Cancer Center, 5:30pm. This breast cancer support group is for education, advocacy and support of breast cancer patients and survivors. Call: 866-581-3627.
September 17: Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery Support Group, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 6:00pm. Please pre-register. Call: 866-581-3627.
September 19: Prepared Childbirth Class, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 9:00am – 2:00pm. 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.
September 19: Childbirth Class, Cabrini Women’s & Children’s Hospital Conference Room, 9:30am-4:00pm. 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. Call: 866-581-3627.
September 19: Kids Who Code, Rapides Main Library, 10:00am. Kids Who Code is a 4-week workshop for kids enrolled in grades 6 through 8 designed to introduce Kids to the world of computer programming. Please pre-register at startcentral.wufoo.com/forms/kids-who-code. Call: 318-793-2182. www.rpl.org
September 19: Lava Lamp Craft, Johnson Branch Library, 10:00am. Remember those Lava lamps? Learn how to create your own lava lamp with a few common household items. Apply STEM principles and discover the chemical reactions when ordinary household items mix! Cost: Free. Call: 318-776-5153. www.rpl.org
September 21: Breathing and Relaxation, Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital Cascade Room, 6:30pm-8:30pm. 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. Please pre-register. Call: 318-769-3445. www.rapidesregional.com
September 22-November: Rapides Reads, Rapides Parish Libraries. Rapides Reads is a community-wide reading initiative where the entire community reads one book. Book-related events and activities will be held throughout the community in an effort to celebrate the book and encourage everyone to use the library and its services. Those who attend events will receive a free copy of The Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe. Cost: Free. Call Tammy DiBartolo: 318-442-2483 x 1906. www.rpl.org
September 22: Opening of Roll, Drop, Bounce Traveling Exhibit, T.R.E.E. House Children’s Museum. 9a.m. -3p.m. Come and join us for the opening of our traveling Roll, Drop, Bounce Traveling Exhibit, which will allow visitors to roll, drop, and bounce to investigate kinetic experience! This kinetic and hands-on experience appeals to ball-tossing, wheel spinning kids of all ages. This exhibit is open from September 22 until December 31. Cost: $4 per child, children ages 2 and under get in free. Call Marissa Sonnier: 318-619-9394.
September 22: Know Poe, Westside Regional Library, 6:00pm. High School English teacher Brandie Neely leads a book lecture on the Rapides Reads selection, The Great Tales and Poems by Edgar Allen Poe. Participants will receive a free copy of the book. Cost: Free. Call Tammy DiBartolo: 442-2483 x 1906. www.rpl.org
September 24: H2O-Helping 2 Overcome Homelessness, Emmanuel Baptist Church Parking Lot, 10a.m. – Noon. Sponsored by Volunteers of America. H2O is a monthly homeless street outreach that provides instant, on-site services such as housing resources, medical screenings, haircuts and more. Community partners provide a hot meal, clothing, food, eater, and hygiene kits. Cost: Free. Call Tracey Antee: 442-8026.
September 24: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, RRMC Medical Terrace Gallery Room, 6:00pm. Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call: 337-234-0088.
September 24: Les Fest: Jammin’ in the Jungle, Alexandria Zoo, 6:30p.m. – 10p.m. Sponsored by City of Alexandria and Friends of the Alexandria Zoo. Enjoy a wild evening at this outdoor music fest and fundraiser celebrating the Alexandria Zoo and remembering zoo director Les Whitt and his love for music. Live music, silent auction, food, and updates on the Zoo are featured. Must be 21 or older. Cost: TBA
Call Lee Ann Whitt or Angele Ehlers: 318-441-6833 or 318-441-6832.
September 26: Regions Alexandria Bowl 2015, LSUA, 8a.m -5p.m. Sponsored by Regions Bank, Central Louisiana Community Foundation, United Way of Central Louisiana, and LSUA. The Regions Alexandria Bowl is designed to showcase the talents of our students, encourage them to maximize their talents, and focus our community on the importance of academic excellence. One of Louisiana’s leading quiz bowl tournaments, the Regions Alexandria Bowl annually kicks off the high school quiz bowl season. Register your team online at Ticket-Central.org. Cost: Admission is free; team registration is $50 per team. Call Thomas Harmeyer: 318-445-7702.
September 27: Threads, Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center, 2:30pm. “Celebrating the common thread that binds all survivors.” Celebrating what is common among all…courage, spirit, determination. Cancer survivors will showcase the latest fashions provided by local merchants as their family and friends cheer them on while enjoying sweets, treats, and the fashion show. Sponsored by Cabrini Cancer Center. Join us for a special fashion show featuring survivors as models. Proceeds benefit the Patient Assistance Fund at Christus Cabrini Cancer Center. Become part of this celebration! Cost: $20 per person. Call: 318-448-6917.
September 28: Mom’s Club of Alexandria Fire Safety Event, Fire Station #5 – 5540 Coliseum Blvd, 10:00am. Moms bring your kids to the fire station for a tour and lesson on fire safety. Please RSVP in advance. Cost: Free. E-mail: [email protected].
September 28: The Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group, Cabrini Mediplex Serenity Room, 11:00am – 12:30pm. 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: 318-448-6938.
September 28: The Alzheimer’s Activity Group, Cabrini Mediplex Serenity Room, 11:00am – 12:30pm. The activity group will be offered for those with Alzheimer’s disease. The staff from Brookdale 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: 318-448-6938.
September 29: Archaeology Day, Kent Plantation House, 9a.m. – 1:30p.m. Sponsored by Kent House Plantation. This event is open to any school or home school group with reservation free of charge. Learn about the life of our earliest settlers and how they made tools, grew food, and more. Teachers call the office soon as spaces fill fast. Cost: Free with reservation. Call Kent Plantation House: 318-487-5998.
Sports
September 3-28: Yoga Classes, Cabrini Mediplex Yoga RX Room, 4:00pm – 5:15pm. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat. These classes are on-going and meet every Monday and Thursday. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
September 5: Walk, Run & Roll for Hydrocephalus, Jena Town Park, 10:00am. This 1-mile run and fun walk event will feature games for the kids, raffles, food, beverages, give-aways, t-shirt contest and more! First 100 participants receive a free Hydrocephalus pin. All proceeds benefit Hydro Angels Over America. Cost: $25 adults; $10 children. Call: 830-837-9459. www.hydroangelsoveramerica.org
September 8, 15, 22, and 29: Yoga in the Gallery, Alexandria Museum of Art, 5:30p.m. Yoga is offered free of charge every Tuesday at AMoA thanks to a grant from the Rapides Foundation. Yoga instructor, b. Hedrick is an ascetic Taoist yogi with fourteen years of yoga practice. Yoga Tao is for all experience levels, incorporating spirit-mind-body techniques. Cost: Free. Call Alexandria Museum of Art: 318-443-3458.
September 9, 16, 23 & 30: Wake Up Yoga Class, Cabrini Mediplex Yoga RX Room, 9:30am-10:30am. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a Yoga mat. This is an on-going class and meets every Wednesday. Call Becky Watkins: 318-448-6938.
September 12: Great Strides Walk and Run, Alexandria Senior High, 9:00am. Funds raised through Great Strides have helped spur dramatic progress in the lives of those who have cystic fibrosis. Registration opens at 8:00am. Cost: $25 (advance); $30 (race day). Call: 225-769-9994.
September 19: Le Tour de Bayou, Kent House Plantation, All day. Sponsored by Kent Plantation House. 4th annual cycling/running event with various distances for everyone from the experienced to the novice. A 2 mile family ride/walk is also available. Register online at www.bikereg.com come out and enjoy a beautiful Louisiana day with your family. Cost: Varies. Call Kent House Plantation: 318-487-5998.
September 26: LSUA 5K, LSUA Campus, 8:30am. Join the LSUA student-athletes and run with the Generals! . In addition to the 5K, there will also be a one-mile fun run with each participant receiving a t-shirt, prizes and a surprise bonus. Proceeds benefit LSUA Athletics. Cost: $20. Call Larry Cordaro: 318-619-2968. www.lsua5k.com
