What’s Happening Around the Capital City

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

Habitat Home & Garden Show • March 9-10 at River Center
The Habitat Home & Garden Show brought to you by the Capital Region Builders Asociation will be Saturday, March 9, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 10, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baton Rouge River Center.  Cost is $8 for adults, $3 for children 6 to 12 years, and children under 6 are free.  There will be a wine tasting both days and celebrity chefs will hold demonstrations.

Monday, March 11 • CPS Registration
Central Private School will begin accepting applications for new students for the upcoming school year.  For information, call 261-3341.

Thursday, March 14 • Historical Lecture • 6 p.m.
Charlsa Moore, an avid historian of Henry Watkins Allen, will lecture on Gov. Allen and his leadership role as Louisiana’s 17th Governor and as a Confederate Brigadier General in the Civil War.  The Foundation for Historical Louisiana’s Heritage Lecture will be in the East Room of the Governor’s Mansion, 502 North Blvd.  A reception, hosted by Calandro’s Fine Wine and Cellars, begins at 6 p.m. and the lecture at 6:30 p.m.  The lecture is free to FHL members and $10 for guests.  FHL can be reached at 387-2464 or at www.fhl.org to register.

Thursday, March 14 • Spring Concert • 7:30 p.m.
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre will hold its Spring Concert at the River Center Theatre for the Performing Arts.  Production will feature internationally-acclaimed guest artists and award-winning local dancers.  Tickets from $30 to $35 with special rate of $20 for groups of 10 or more.  Available through Ticketmaster, the River Center Box Office or call 766-8379.

March 15 and 16 • Huge Garage Sale • 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Zoar Baptist Church, corner of Hooper and Joor roads, will hold a huge Garage Sale in the gym.

March 15, 16, and 17 • 42nd Annual Audubon Pilgrimage
Tours of historic homes and gardens, art show and sale, authentic 1820’s costumes, living history demonstrations, night festivities, and cemetery tales.  For tour information, call 635-6330 or visit www.audubonpilgrimage.info.

Saturday, March 16 • Louisiana Gospel Fellowship Choir • 3 p.m.
Join for an afternoon of gospel music with the all-male Louisiana Gospel Fellowship Choir at the Jones Creek Library, 6222 Jones Creek Rd.  For information, call 756-1150.

Sunday, March 17 • Youth Ballet Auditions
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre will hold auditions for its Youth Ballet summer tour at Dancers’ Workshop, 10745 Linkwood Court.  Auditions are open to intermediate-level dancers ages 10-14 and there is a $5 fee.  Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and auditions are at 1 p.m.  Dancers must be 10 years old by Sept. 30 or entering the 5th grade in fall 2013.  For information, contact Nicole Naquin or Leigh Phillips at 766-8379 or nicole@batonrougeballet.org or leigh@batonrougeballet.org.

Thursday, March 21 • “Leadership-Preparedness In The New Normal” • 5 to 7 p.m.
Secretary of State Tom Schedler  will launch the Old State Capitol Associates Speaker Series with special guest Lt. General Russel L. Honoré (Ret.).  You are invited to “Leadership Preparedness in the New Normal” in the House Chamber, Old State Capitol.  Reception and book signing.  Admission is free.  For information, contact Dawn Ross at dawn.ross@sos.la.gov.

Thursday, March 21 • WWII Quiz Bowl • 6 to 7 p.m.
The Central High School’s World World II Quiz Bowl team composed of Jack McAdams, Cameron Robertson, and Brantley Pike defeated 30 teams from across the state to qualify for the State Finals.  The team will compete for the championship in a live broadcast on Cox Cable 4.

March 21 through 24 • Zachary Arts & Music Festival
The Zachary Chamber of Commerce’s 7th Annual ZFest will be held at BREC’s Community Park, 20055 Old Scenic Hwy.
There will be arts and crafts, food vendors, petting zoo and pony rides, paddleboards on the lake, rock wall, bungee bounce, gyroscope, carnival rides, and many more activities.  ZFest will be open 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 21, 5 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, March 22, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, March 23, and 12 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 24. Entertainment will be the Todd O’Neal Band, the Chee Weez, national country artist Randy Houser, and the Not4Sale Band.

Friday, March 22 • District IV La. Retired Teachers Assoc. Meeting • 9:30 a.m.
Joyce Rome, president of Louisiana Retired Teachers Assocation, District IV has scheduled the district’s spring meeting at Tezcuco Plantation in Darrow.  All retired teachers from the parishes of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Point Coupee, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana are invited to attend.  Guest speaker will be Renee Siccone, assistant director of the state association.

Saturday, March 23 • Dancin’ in the Streets • 7 p.m.
Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre’s 4th Annual Dancin’ in the Streets fundraiser will be held at Perkins Rowe Great Hall.  The block party will feature live music by Phat Hat and food and drinks from local restaurants.  Tickets are $25 until Friday, March 22 and $35 at the door.  For information, contact Nicole Naquin or Leigh Phillips at 766-8379 or nicole@batonrougeballet.org or leigh@batonrougeballet.org.

March 23 and 24 • African Violet Show and Sale
Join for an afternoon of gospel muAn African Violet Show and Plant Sale will be held Saturday, March 23, 2 to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Baton Rouge Garden Center, 7950 Independence Blvd.  The show is sponsored by the Sun-
downers African Violet Society.  Admission is free.  A lecture and workshop on how to grow violets will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 24.  For information, contact George Ramirez at 985-384-0309.

Sunday, March 24 • Easter Celebration • 1 to 3 p.m.
An Easter Celebration will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  There will be an Easter Egg Hunt, games, crafts, inflatables, food, and U-Launcher by Games 2 U.  Bring your camera to take pictures with the Easter Bunny!  RSVP by Thursday, March 21 by filling out a registration form online at www.st-alphonsus.net.

Saturday, March 30 • Cat Show • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Greater Baton Rouge Cat Club will be having its 40th Annual Cat Show at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center.  Admission is $5 adults, $3 seniors and children, and children 12 and under are free.  For information, call 291-7733.

Sunday, March 31 • Central Community Easter Service • 7 a.m.
Everyone is invited to attend the annual Central Community Easter Service at Wildcat Stadium.  This non-denominational event, hosted by Zoar Baptist Church, provides the community an opportunity to gather together for the purpose of celebrating the resurrection.  There will be special music, choir and congregational singing, and a special Easter message.  In case of inclement weather, the service will be held at Zoar Baptist Church.

Saturday, April 13 • Central Class of 2003 Reunion • 7 to 11 p.m.
Central High Class of 2003 will hold their reunion at Kristenwood on Greenwell Springs.  Cost is $35 per person due by Friday, March 22.  Updates and information can be found at chsclassof2003.wordpress.com, Facebook: CHS Class of 2003, or email CHSco2003@gmail.com

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.

April 6 and April 7 • Zippity Zoo Fest 2013
Zippity Zoo Fest will feature keeper chats, face painting, Safari Shapshot 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.  The Zoo is open 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m..

April 6 and 7 • Kite Fest Louisiané • 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend a day in the great outdoors.  This free event is open to the public.

Saturday, April 27 • Central Class of ’83 Reunion • 7:30 to 11 p.m.
Central High Class of ’83 will have a reunion at De la Ronde Hall, 320 Third Street, Ste. 201, Baton Rouge.  Cost is $75 at the door.  Entertainment will be the Chris Leblanc Band.  There will be a buffet and a cash bar.  For information, contact Tami Helmke Misuraca at 937-4083 or email chs1983@cox.net.