What’s Happening Around the Capital City

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

Friday, April 19 • District-Wide Strings Rock Concert • 7 p.m.

A District-Wide Strings Rock Concert will be held at McKinley Magnet Academic Middle School.  $5 general admission and $2 for students and seniors.  New York City rock violinist Bridgid Bibbens will be a guest performer.  For information, contact Michelle Wilkinson-Nelson at mwilkinson1@ebrschools.org.

Saturday, April 20 • Child Abuse Prevention • Breakfast • 9 a.m.

Councilwoman Chauna Banks-Daniel and Daughters of Naomi will host a Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast at Camphor Memorial United Methodist Church, 8742 Scenic Hwy.  The public is invited to attend and learn how to identify and report possible child abuse or negligent behaviors.

Saturday, April 20 • EBRP Honor’s Music Camp • 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The East Baton Rouge Schools Honor’s Music Camp will be held at Winbourne Elementary, 4503 Winbourne Ave.  The purpose of the camp is to encourage musical excellence by rewarding and showcasing the district’s honor music students.  A concert will be held at 2 p.m.  For information, contact Susan Chernetz at schernet@ebrschools.org.

Saturday, April 20 • “The Story of Arpadhon” • 10 a.m.

“The Story of Arpadhon: The Hungarian Settlement at Albany, La.” will be presented by Royanne Kropog at the Bluebonnet Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd.  Kropog, author of “the Hungarian Settlement” will have a visual presentation on the settlement’s history.  The program is free and open to the public.  For information, call Mary McKeough at 924-8921 or visit www.batonrougegenealogy.org.

Saturday, April 20 • Missy Couvillion Benefit • 11 a.m.

A benefit will be held for Melissa Thompson Couvillion, a resident of Central and CHS graduate, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.  The benefit will be held at Kristenwood, 14025 Greenwell Springs.  There will be live bands and activities for kids including a space walk and carnival games.  Jambalaya tickets can be purchased for $6 and two raffles.  $2 chance for a chance to win an 80 quart crawfish pot, burner, and handmade wooden crawfish table and $5 chance to win a $1,500 kitchen cabinet makeover courtesy of Cornerstone Cabinets.  There will be a silent auction and bake sale.

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.

Saturday, April 20 • Family Fun Under the Stars • 3 to 11 p.m.

Spend an evening among the stars as Highland Road Park Observatory, 13800 Highland Road, hosts its 7th annual International Astronomy Day celebration.  The event will feature raffles, food, and games on site for all.  For information, call 768-9948.

Saturday, April 20 • Central Veterans Helping Veterans Dinner & Meeting • 6 p.m.

Central Veterans Helping Veterans is inviting all veterans to join them at their monthly dinner and meeting at DEMCO on Wax Road.  Louis DeJohn is scheduled to be the guest speaker.  Free to veterans and the spouses.  For information, contact Charles Lee Hinton at 261-3000 or 405-9675.

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’ Family Center, 14040 Greenwell Springs Road.  Upbeat, Christ-filled music for all ages.

Sunday, April 21 • Giuliana Rancic • 7 p.m.

E! News anchor and breast cancer survivor Giuliana Rancic will speak at LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center.  The Gamma Zeta chapter of Delta Gamma will host the event for the biennial Lectureship in Values and Ethics.  Admission is free and open to the public.  For information, contact Maddie Duhon at gammazetalsu@gmail.com or 337-349-5403.

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.

Friday, April 26 • Beethoven Festival • 7:30 p.m.

The LSU Symphony Orchestra and LSU Choral Ensemble will conclude its Beethoven Festival with a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at the LSU Union Theater.  General admission tickets are $20; LSU faculty, staff, and students are $17; and LSU students with a student ID are $12.  To purchase tickets, call 578-5128 or visit www.music.lsu.edu.

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.

Thursday, May 2 • Lunch, Lecture, and Tour • Noon to 1:30 p.m.

The LSU Museum of Art will host a special luncheon and lecture event and guest speaker is LSU alumna and New Orleans-based fashion designer suzanne Perron.  Enjoy a guided tour of the exhibit, “Revealed: Exquisite Gowns by Suzanne Perron,” that is on display through July 28.  The event is in the museum’s Turner Gallery, located on the third floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts, 100 Lafayette St.  Purchase tickets at the LSU Museum of Art Store or by calling 389-7210 by Friday, April 26.  Tickets are $35.

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.

Friday, May 3 • St. Alphonsus Appreciation Crawfish Boil • 6:30 p.m.

Inviting all adults who are involved in the life of St. Alphonsus parish in all the different organizations, committees, councils, boards, and ministries.  Join Fr. Mike and the parish staff as we say thank you to the many generous people who have worked together in making St. Alphonsus the wonderful parish that it is!  RSVP by calling the church office, 261-4650 by Friday April 26.  Childcare will be provided.  RSVP with the number of children by Friday, April 26.

May 3 and 4 • Greenwell Springs Youth Riders’ • 55th Annual Pro-Rodeo • 8 p.m.

The Greenwell Springs Youth Riders’ 55th Annual Pro-Rodeo will be held at the BREC Shady Park Arean off Greenwell Springs Road.  Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children school age, and children under 5 free.  For information, visit www.gsyr.webs.com.

Saturday, May 4 • Crawfish Boil Fundraiser • 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Two staples of Louisiana culture — music and crawfish — will come together to raise funds to help local students learn about the performing arts. The LSU Performing Arts Academy, the community programs division of the LSU College of Music & Dramatic Arts, will host a crawfish boil fundraiser to support scholarships and programs to help children take music lessons and performing arts classes at LSU.  The festivities will take place under the oaks in front of the LSU Music & Dramatic Arts Building on Dalrymple Drive.  Tickets are $50 for adults and $10 for those ages 17 and under.  For information, or reservations, visit www.paa.lsu.edu.  Reservations will be accepted through Friday, April 26.

Sunday, May 5 • Spring Tea • 2 to 4 p.m.

The Beacon House Adoption Services’ annual Growing Families Spring tea will be held at Highland Porch, 145 Ben Hur Rd.  The tea will feature live music, gardening tips by horticulturist Brook Webber of The Parish Group, LLC, and keynote speech by Scott Rogers of “The Around Town Show.”  Tickets are $25.  For information, contact Lauren Lambert at 753-5551.

Tuesday, May 7 • 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.

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!

June 3 through 6 • Central Basketball Youth Camp

The camp will teach young basketball players the basic skills and assist young players in improving already learned skills.  The camp is offered to boys between the ages of 7-13 and is broken into two groups, SEC for younger athletes and the NBA for the older athletes.  Campers will be instructed by Central High basketball staff and current players and held at the newly renovated gym.  For information contact Coach Ron Lewis at rlewis@centralcss.org or 261-2780.

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.

Saturday, June 29 • Color In Motion 5K

A Color In Motion 5K will be held at the Central Intermediate School, 12636 Sullivan Road.  Proceeds will help build a community bike/walk path.  Use special promo codes: Earlybird – 30 percent off till May 3; Early 1 – 20 percent off till May 24; and Early 2 – 10 percent off till June 14.  For information, visit ColorInMotion5K.com.

July 8 through 11 • Central Basketball Elite Camp

The camp is offered to a limited number of players between the ages of 12 and 14.  This camp is for experienced players who want to improve their skills for the next level and prepare for the upcoming season.  Players will be videoed and their progress will be reviewed prior to each day’s workout and they will receive daily feedback on their performance and progress.  For information contact Coach Ron Lewis at rlewis@centralcss.org or 261-2780.