What’s Happening Around the Capital City Things to Do, Places to Go, People to See

BATON ROUGE — Events coming up in and around the capital city:

April 5 through 7 • Kite Fest Louisiané

Kites of all sizes and shapes will fill the skies at the West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex in Port Allen, located just off I-10 Exit 151 at Rosedale Rd.  Times are Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  This free event is open to the public.

Friday, April 5 • Platinum Sound Orchestra Concert • 6:30 p.m.

Comite Baptist Church, 12250 Greenwell Springs, would like to invite everyone to hear the soothing sounds of Platinum Sound Orchestra.  Come at 5:30 p.m. and enjoy the free outdoor coffeehouse.

April 5 through 7 • Louisiana Science Fiction Film and Costume Festival

The Louisiana Science Fiction Film and Costume Festival will hold its annual festival at the Embassy Suites Hotel on Constitution Ave.  On Friday night, there will be a costume and makeup workshop on The Rocky Horror Picture Show, followed by a showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  Saturday will features workshops focusing on costuming, prop making, makeup, hairdressing, and jewelry making.  Media guests will include Gil Gerard from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century and Theodore Crane and Michael Koske from AMC’s The Walking Dead.  Saturday night is the Costume Ball where people can show off their costumes.

April 6 and April 7 • Zippity Zoo Fest 2013 • 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Zippity Zoo Fest will feature keeper chats, face painting, Safari Snapshot photo booth, and animal shows at the Wildlife Safari Amphitheater at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.  A new addition this year is Expedition BREC, a family-style tour around the Zoo.  Zoo admission is adults and teens $8.25, seniors $7.25, children 2-12 $5.25, and one and under is free.

Saturday, April 6 • Prenatal & Newborn Care Class • 10 a.m.

Lane Regional Medical Center will offer a free prenatal and infant care class in the Staff Development Classroom.  “The Pregnancy Workshop” is an overview of what to expect during pregnancy and delivery for the soon-to-be mom.  “Baby Care Basics” covers all you need to know to care for your newborn in the first weeks of life.  Partners are encouraged to attend.  Child care is not provided.  For information or to register, call 654-5263.

Sunday, April 7 • Dr. James O. Davis • 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Covenant Church, 22325 Greenwell Springs, invites you spend the day with Dr. James O. Davis.  He is the founder of Cutting Edge International and co-founder of Billion Soul Network.  He is known for engaging today’s topics with clear, sound Biblical principles.

Monday, April 8 • Blue Star Mothers • 6 p.m.

Blue Star Mothers has started a new chapter in Central.  Meetings will be held the second Monday of each mouth.  The first meeting will be held at Sammy’s, 14800 Wax Road.  For information, call Debbie Dunaway at 235-6424 or email bmomla@hotmail.com.

Tuesday, April 9 • Victory Harvest Church MOPS • 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Victory Harvest Church MOPS will meet at Victory Harvest Church, 3953 N. Flannery Road.  Limited childcare is available.  Moms should email Barbara Womack at vhcmops@cox.net or call 275-5255 to check availability.  Mothers who are pregnant with their first child or have a preschooler K-5 or younger are invited to join the group.

Thursday, April 11 • Movie Review • 10 a.m.

The Ochsner Golden Opportunity Program will see Tyler Perry’s “Confessions of a Marriage Counselor” at Grand Cinema Theater, 15365 George O’Neal Road.  Meet at Grand Cinema for a private showing of this latest movie.  Admission is $6.50 per person.  Call 755-4984 to RSVP.

Friday, April 12 • Grand Opening • 11 a.m.

The Baton Rouge Vet Center has moved to a new location at 7850 Anselmo Lane, Ste. B.  All Veterans are welcome to the grand opening.  Food and drinks will be provided.

Saturday, April 13

Active for Autism 5k Run/Walk • 8 a.m. to 12 noon

The 4th Annual 5k Run/Walk and Fun Fest will be held at the State Police Headquarters on Independence Blvd.  Visit fhfgbr.org to register!  For information, call 216-7474.

Saturday, April 13 • Towne Center Euro Fest • 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Automobile and motorcycles will be coming to Towne Center at Cedar Lodge for the 2013 Towne Center Euro Fest.  For information, visit www.euro-fest.net.

Saturday, April 13 • Spring Gala • 5 to 9:30 p.m.

St. Pius X Catholic Church will host a Spring Gala in the activity center gym, corner of Mickens and Hooper roads.  There will be a silent auction and bingo, 5 to 6:30 p.m. as well as $1,000 and $10,000 raffle drawings.  Ticket prices are $1 for the $1,000 drawing and $100 for the $10,000 drawing and includes two dinner tickets.  Pork loin dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. followed by dancing with music provided by Clay Boudreaux.  Dinner tickets are $10, a limited number are available.  For information or to purchase tickets, call the church at 357-5935.

Saturday, April 13 • Cajun Dance • 8 to 10:30 p.m.

The Cajun French Music Association’s monthly dance will be held at the UCT Hall, 11175 Florida Blvd.  Live entertainment by Paul Daigle & Cajun Gold.  Admission is $10, children 12 and under free and students with ID, $5.  Cajun dance lessons at 7 p.m.  Party cakes, foods, and snacks are welcome, no drinks or ice chests.  For information, visit www.batonrougecajundance.com.

Saturday, April 13 • Fashion Show Fundraiser • 5 p.m.

Metro Councilwoman C. Denice Marcelle of District 7 will host a charity fashion show at the Famous Theater, 150 Mayflower Ave. inside the Belle of Baton Rouge.  Tickets are $10.  All proceeds will benefit the annual Fairy Godmother Prom Extravaganza Give-Away.  For information, call 389-3182 or 347-7725.

Wednesday, April 17 • “Ask the Doctor” • 12 noon to 1 p.m.

For many, diet and exercise can be difficult because of joint pain, digestive problems, and other chronic medical issues.  Dr. Thomas Kang of Lane Surgery Group will discuss “How to Lose Weight: A Surgeon’s Perspective,” including the benefits and limitations of weight loss surgery, during the “Ask the Doctor” Lunch and Learn in the Staff Development Classroom at Lane Regional Medical Center.  The session is free and includes a light lunch.  Advance reservations are required by calling 654-5263.

Saturday, April 20 • Fairy Godmother Prom Extravaganza • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The 2013 Fairy Godmother Prom Extravaganza Give-Away will be held at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, 4000 Gus Young Ave.  The Extravaganza will offer free prom dresses and tuxedos for families who can’t afford to send their child to prom.  For information, call 389-3182.

April 20 and April 21 • Angola Prison Rodeo

Warden Burl Cain invites the public to view the wildest rodeo show in the south.  The gates will open at 9 a.m. and the rodeo starts at 2 p.m.  All seats are only $15.  Tickets can be purchased in advance on-line at www.angolarodeo.com or calling 225-655-2030 or 225-655-2607 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 21 • Kelly Pease in Concert • 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Nationally known Christian artist, Kelly Pease, will be in concert at the St. Alphonsus’s Family Center, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road.  Upbeat, Christ-filled music for all ages.

Monday, April 22 • Ask the Doctor • 12 noon

Dr. Joseph Nesheiwat with Zachary Rheumatology will discuss the systems of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and how to differentiate between them during the “Ask the Doctor” Lunch and Learn session in the Staff Development Classroom at Lane Regional Medical Center.  The session is free and includes a light lunch.  Advance reservations are required by call 654-5263.

Thursday, April 25 • Heritage Lecture • 6 p.m.

River Road author Mary Ann Sternberg will share insights on the River Road at a lecture sponsored by the Foundation for Historical Louisiana at the Old Governor’s Mansion, East Room, 502 North Blvd.  Sternberg will be signing two new books “River Road Rambler” and “Along the River Road: Past and Present on Louisiana’s Historic Byway.”  The lecture is free to Foundation members and $10 for guests.  For information, call 387-2464 or visit fhl.org.

Thursday, April 25 • Introduction to Acupuncture • 6 p.m.

Join Ashley Johnson, Licensed Acupuncturist, for an “Introduction to Acupuncture” in the Staff Development Classroom at Lane Regional Medical Center.  Advance reservations are required and seating is limited.  For information, call 654-5263.

April 26 through 28 • Our Lady of Mercy Parish Fair Raffle & Baked Goods

Our Lady of Mercy’s Parish Fair is scheduled for April 26 through 28.  Preorder your baked goods now for pickup Sunday, April 28.  Cakes and pies $25 and cookies, candies, and brownies $5 package.  Limited quantities available.  Orders filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Place your order no later than Saturday, April 6.  For a list of bakers, go to www.olomchurch.com.  To order, call Margaret Roberts at 925-1585 or 933-8977.  There will also be a Raffle. For information, contact the church office at 926-1883.

April 27 and 28 • Dance Concert 2013

LSU Theatre will present its 14th Annual Dance Concert at Shaver Theatre, Music & Dramatic Arts Building on Dalrymple Drive, LSU campus.  Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/faculty/staff, and $12 for all students.  Performances are 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 28.  For information or tickets, call 578-3527 or visit www.theatre.lsu.edu.

Thursday, May 2 • Rock of Ages • 7:30 p.m.

“Rock of Ages,” a hilarious, feel-good love story told through the hit songs of iconic rockers Journey, Styx, REO Speedwagon, and many more will play the Baton Rouge river Center.  Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, all Ticketmaster outlets, and the Baton Rouge River Center Ticket Office.  To race a group discount, call 389-3093.

Tuesday, May 7 • Victory Harvest Church MOPS • 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Victory Harvest Church MOPS will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Victory Harvest Church, 3953 N. Flannery Road.  Limited childcare is available.  Moms should email Barbara Womack at vhcmops@cox.net or call 275-5255 to check availability.  Mothers who are pregnant with their first child or have a preschooler K-5 or younger are invited to join the group.

Saturday, May 11 • LATAN’s 5k Run/Walk/Roll • 8 a.m.

Everyone is invited to Louisiana Assistive Technology Access Network’s 5K Walk/Run/Roll.  Race will start on North Blvd.  This will be a chip timed race.  Wheelchair racers are invited.  Early bird registration is $20 and includes a t-shirt, one food voucher, and one beverage voucher.  Registration after Monday, April 15 is $25 and $30 on race day.  Register on-line at www.latan.org.

Saturday, May 11 • Baton Rouge Lions Expo • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A total of 18 Lions Clubs from throughout the Baton Rouge area will hold an exhibition for the general public to learn more about Lions.  The event at the BREC headquarters on Florida Blvd. will include exhibits and free jambalaya.  Bill Simon of EBR Lions and Deborah Todd of Downtown Lions encourage you to attend.  You may be a future member of the Lions Club yourself!

Saturday, June 15 • Dance • 7 to 10 p.m.

A dance, featuring Elvis tribute artist Jay Dupuis and Band, will be held at Kristenwood, 14025 Greenwell Springs Road.  Dance is open to anyone 21 years or older.  Tickets are $15 per person and are available at St. Alphonsus Parish Office, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road.