Calendar of Events

For a full list of event happenings in Northeast Louisiana, see our website at

April 1-8

The Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum Easter Village

Have an EGG-citing time visiting the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum Easter Village during the first week of April! Visit with the Easter Bunny, decorate cookies, participate in the White House egg roll, and experience the bunny patch and GIANT chocolate bunny! Don’t miss the Bunny & Me Breakfast and Bunny Hut Workshop. Details for events are on their website.

Time: 10:00 AM 6:00 PM

Cost: $12.00 Per Ticket

Address: Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum | 323 Walnut Street, Monroe Phone: (318) 361-9611

April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

Ruston Farmers Market

Shop, eat, and support local producers and creators every Saturday morning!

Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Ruston Farmers Marketplace | 220 E. Mississippi Ave. Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 957-130

April 1

North Louisiana Makers and Producers Spring Market

The spring market features arts, crafts, plants, and even baby goats!

Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Paramount Health Care Consultants Parking Lot | 1905 North 7th Street, West Monroe Phone: (318) 372-4753

Easter EGGstravaganza

The annual Easter EGGstravaganza is back at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Experience the magic of spring while encountering beautiful animals in an educational atmosphere! Food trucks, vendors, train and boat rides, an egg hunt, prizes and more will all be part of the fun!

Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Cost: $10.00 for Adults 13+. $6.00 for Kids 3-12. Free 2 & Under.

Address: 1405 Bernstein Park Road

Easter in the Village

Join the Village of Choudrant for Easter in The Village on April 1, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. in Village Park. There will be fun games and prizes for all ages! Local churches will be set up in the Origin Bank parking lot giving away a variety of different foods, drinks, and sweet treats. This event is free and all about family and fun, so don't miss out!

Time: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: 3911 Elm Street, Choudrant

Phone: (318) 768-4111

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans!

Celebrate veterans with the VFW on April 1st! From 3:00-4:00 p.m. a free meal of pulled pork, potato salad, a roll, a drink, and a dessert will be given to all Vietnam veterans. This meal will be $5.00 for Non-Vietnam veterans. Later that evening, the Hands On band will be playing live from 7:00-11:00 p.m. Vietnam veterans get in free, and there will be a $10.00 cover for everyone else.

Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Address: VFW Rodney J Hobbs Post 1809 | 1499 Highway 594, Monroe Phone: (318) 345-4185

World Ballet Series: Cinderella

The magical World Ballet Series: Cinderella is coming to the Jack Howard Theatre at the Monroe Civic Center! An enchanting story for all ages with classical ballet, a touch of humor, and a "happily ever after."

This show includes a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers with over 150 stunning hand-sewn costumes. The doors open at 6:00 PM and the show begins at 7:00 PM.

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: Ticket Prices Vary

Address: Monroe Civic Center | 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway, Monroe

Phone: (318) 329-2225

April 4

Drawn from the Bible Exhibit Opening

This Biedenharn exhibit features over 35 drawings and sketches illustrating Bible stories. Drawn from the Bible has works dating from a circa 1650 Italian drawing of the Holy Family to images drawn in 2010 and a piece by Henri Matisse. The drawings will be augmented with illustrated Bibles from the Biedenharn collection.

Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Biedenharn Museum and Gardens | 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe

Phone: (318) 387-5281

April 6

Downtown Art Gallery Crawl

The Downtown Art Gallery

Crawl is held bi-monthly on the first Thursday of that month in Downtown Monroe and West Monroe. This is an evening of art, food, music, and fun with friends!

Time: 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Downtown Monroe and West Monroe

April 8

Louisiana State Games Disc Golf

This event is taking place on the Blue and Green Course at Chennault Park. Divisons include: Novice, Juniors (under 18), Amateur (Men or Women Recreational Players-Masters, Grandmasters, and Seniors), Advanced (Men or Women- Masters, Grandmasters, and Seniors), Open (Men or WomenMasters, Grandmasters, and Seniors).

Address: Chennault Park Golf Course | 8475 Millhaven Road, Monroe Phone: (318) 805-6289

Children’s Funday

Children's Funday is back at the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens! This is a craft activity for all children. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM www.bayoulifemag.com

Cost: $5.00 Per Child. Free for Adult.

VAMN! – Visual Artist Meetup

Join the Black Creatives Circle of North Louisiana every 2nd Saturday of the month at The Sugar Gallery for regular discussions about art studio practice and history/ theory. Connect with artists and art enthusiasts alike.

Time: 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM

Cost: Free | Address: The Sugar Gallery | 135 Art Alley, Monroe

April 13

MercyMe- Always Only Jesus Tour

Are you ready for an amazing night with the Christian music band MercyMe? They are coming to Monroe for their Always Only Jesus Tour! Guest performers are Taya Gaukrodger and Micah Tyler. Get your tickets now before they are sold out!

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: Ticket Prices Vary

Address: Jack Howard Theater | 401 Lea Joyner Expressway, Monroe Phone: (318) 329-2225

Queen of the Night: A Whitney Houston Tribute Forte Entertainment TX presents "Queen of the Night" - A Whitney Houston Tribute. The world's greatest tribute to "the Voice," Whitney Houston live in concert at The Dixie Theater for the Arts!

Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $20.00-$35.00

Address: Dixie Center for the Arts | 212 N Vienna St, Ruston Phone: (318) 595-0872

April 13

Wine Over Water 2023

Sample foods from local restaurants, sip on wine and beer, enjoy live entertainment, or take a boat ride along the peaceful Bayou DeSiard at ULM's elegant Wine Over Water bridge party! Purchase a cork at the Cork Pull to take home a mystery bottle of wine. Attire is dressy casual. Have a deliciously fun evening featuring wine/beer and food pairings!

Time: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $60.00

Address: University of Louisiana Monroe | 700 University Avenue, Monroe | Phone: (318) 342-5420

April 14-15

Monster Truck Nitro Tour

The nation's most competitive monster trucks are invading the Ike Hamilton Expo Center! There will be three separate monster truck shows all including racing, wheelie contests, and freestyle action. Kids get a free tour gift while supplies last at the Saturday matinee show.

Time: Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM.

Cost: Ticket Prices Vary

Address: Ike Hamilton Expo Center | 501 Mane Street, West Monroe Phone: (480) 773-6822

April 14

14th Annual Off the Wall

This is the area's premier art auction featuring a grand selection of art by talented artists in the community and from around the country. There will be an expanded bar and delicious food, as well as live music by Makeshift Tapedeck! The Bon Voyage Raffle will be held with a $3,000 cash prize up for grabs. An original painting created on-site at the event will also be raffled off.

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $50.00

Address: Masur Museum of Art | 1400 South Grand, Monroe Phone: (318) 329-2237

Elvis the Movie

Start off the weekend with a special viewing of the new Elvis movie, starring Austin Butler. Bring your Travis LeDoyt ticket and get half-off your movie tickets!

Time: 7:00 PM

Cost: $8.00

Address: Dixie Center for the Arts |

212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 595-0872

April 15-16

2023 Miss Louisiana Outstanding Teen Pageant

The 2023 Miss Louisiana Outstanding Teen Pageant is April 15-16 at the University of Louisiana Monroe.

Address: ULM | 700 University Avenue, Monroe Phone: (318) 372-0963

April 15-16

6th Annual Angels 4 Autism Softball

Tournament

Don't miss the 6th Annual Angels 4 Autism Softball Tournament

April 15-16! Double point weekend plus All American Tryouts on Friday night. Two pool with double elimination. Age groups are 8U-High School. Address: Ouachita Sportsplex | 710 Holland Drive, Monroe

April 15

Dragon Boat Festival

The Best Dragons are on the Bayou! Get ready to witness 20 team members rowing in unison to the beat of a drum! The Dragon Boat Festival features lively competition between teams that the whole community will enjoy. This local fundraiser benefits the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana. Address: Bayou Desiard | 3430 Loop Road, Monroe

Phone: (318) 323-8775

Ouachita River 49er Race

The 5th Annual Ouachita River 49er Race is a 49-mile adventure down the beautiful Ouachita River! There are a range of classes to choose from and registration is now open. Proceeds will go to Louisiana Delta Adventures, a non-profit that promotes access and enjoyment of the many waterways in northeast Louisiana. The water is calling!

Time: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Cost: $50.00 Registration Fee

Address: Lazarre Park | 703 South Riverfront, West Monroe Phone: (479) 721-8665

Spring Sip & Shop

Join Thirsty Farmer for an outdoor market Sip & Shop experience complimenting local artistic wares: wines & ciders, live music, and local market vendors to shop this spring! Outdoor live music with Danny Lee & Dave 3:006:00 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, no outside alcohol, and no pets.

Time: 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Thirsty Farmer Winery & Vineyard | 531 State Highway 144, Calhoun Phone: (318) 267-5580

Paint Your Pet- Acrylic Painting Workshop

Are you an art lover and an animal lover? If so, paint your own pet with Sarah Howell of The Artsy Pet and Tracy Britt of Bless Your

Art. Learn color matching, blending skills, acrylic techniques, textues and more. The best part is, you can take your creation home with you to show your furry friend!

Time: 1:00 PM 3:00 PM

Cost: $60.00

Address: Art Alley Marketplace

Lagniappe Saturday- Dave Gore

Celebrate the afternoon with friends and family at Landry Vineyards! Listen to local live music by Dave Gore and enjoy wine tastings and tours. Food trucks will be on site and snacks will be available for purchase.

Time: 3:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Landry Vineyards | 5699 New Natchitoches Road, West Monroe, Phone: (318) 557-9050

Storytellers: Music of the Theater

The opera, the ballet, and the stage play are all represented, with a tone poem included to show the orchestra can tell a story too. John Hodges will be the conductor.

Time: 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Address: Church of the Redeemer | 715 Cypress Street, West Monroe Phone: (318) 812-6761

Travis LeDoyt

A Tribute to the King (Elvis Presley) by Travis LeDoyt, known as “the world’s best” at portraying young Elvis Presley in his prime in the 1950s and 60s. His uncanny resemblance to the “King of Rock and Roll” has audiences gasping when he takes the stage.

Time: 7:00 PM

Cost: $25.00-$30.00

Address: Dixie Center for the Arts | 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 595-0872

April 16, 30

Goat Yoga at the Farm

Goat Yoga at the Farm is back at Double BB Farms! This class is for people of all skill levels. Bring your yoga mat and dress for the outdoors. The class will be taught by Elizabeth Griffon and includes a tour of the farm.

Time: 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Cost: $25.00

Address: Double BB Farms | 1816 Stubbs Vinson Road, Monroe

April 20-29

The Wedding Singer

It’s 1985, and rock star wannabe, Robbie Hart, is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. He’s the life of the party until his own fiance’ leaves him at the altar. Shot through the heart, Robbie makes every wedding as disastrous as his own. Enter Julia, a winsome waitress who wins his affection. As luck would have it, Julia is about to be married to a Wall Street shark, and, unless Robbie can pull off the performance of a decade, the girl of his dreams will be gone forever.

Time: Showings are April 20-23 and 27-29. Times are Thursday-Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. No showings on April 24-26.

Cost: $50.00

Address: Strauss Theatre Center | 1300 1/2 Lamy Lane, Monroe Phone: (318) 323-6681

April 21-22

Ballet Under the Stars: Louisiana Hayride

What could be better than a beautifully inspiring performance under the starlit sky in Kiroli Park? Food trucks will be on site at 6:00 p.m. and the performaces start at 7:00 p.m. A public performance (free with admission of $5.00 per car) will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: $25.00 General Admission. $10.00 Children (3-11). Children Under 3 Free.

Address: Kiroli Park, West Monroe Phone: (318) 388-3011

April 21-23

USA BMX Cajun Nationals

The USA BMX Cajun Nationals is happening at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center April 21-23. These fierce BMX races will be unforgettable!

Time: Friday at 1:30 PM. Saturday at 9:00 AM. Sunday at 8:00 AM.

Address: Ike Hamilton Expo Center | 501 Mane Street, West Monroe

April 21

Biedenharn Garden Symposium

A day fully devoted to gardening on the grounds of the Biedenharn's Elsong Gardens. Gardening experts Jessica Russell and Paige Mizell will share their knowledge and expertise on the ways of gardening. Alan Futch will teach about floral designs and arrangements. Lunch will be catered.

Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Cost: $70.00 Registration Fee

Address: Biedenharn Museum and

Gardens | 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe | Phone: (318) 387-5281

H2 Go Friday Night Lights- Open Paddle

This FNL, H2 Go will be paddling up Bayou DeSiard from the Frenchman's Bend bridge toward Sterlington. This is an out-and-back paddle and will wrap up around dark. Enjoy this evening on the water!

Time: 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Address: Frenchman's Bend Road Boat Ramp | 646 LA-134, Monroe

The Price is Right Live Come on down to the Price is Right Live in Monroe at the Jack Howard Theater. Get a chance to win cash and prizes at this interactive stage production of the longest running game show in television history!

Time: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Cost: Ticket Prices Vary

Address: Jack Howard Theater | 401 Lea Joyner Expressway, Monroe Phone: (318) 329-2225

April 22

Woofstock 23

This event will have specialty pet vendors, arts and crafts, boutiques, bakeries, Louisiana made products, woodworking, produce, sustainable products, face painters, and more for the 8th year of NELA's largest one day pet festival.

This year Woofstock 23 is combining with Bloody Mary Fest and Earth Day. Bloody Mary Fest is a competition between local groups, nonprofits, and individuals bringing their best recipe to compete for awards. Earth Day family activities will be centered around having fun and exploring the outdoors!

Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Cost: $2.00

Address: Kiroli Park | 820 Kiroli Road, West Monroe

7th Annual Empty Bowls

Join the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana for an afternoon of food, art and music at the 7th Annual Empty Bowls event! With the price of an event ticket, guests can choose a beautiful bowl made by a local artist to take home as a reminder of all of the empty bowls in our community.

Time: 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Cost: Ticket Prices Vary

Address: Monroe Civic Center | 401 Lea Joyner Memorial Expy, Monroe Phone: (318) 322-3567

NEDHSA Art is Therapy Festival

NEDHSA will host its first ever Art Is Therapy Festival at the Downtown Rivermarket on April 22. Learn how to use art as therapy!

Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Cost: Free

Address: Downtown River Market | 316 South Grand Street, Monroe Phone: (318) 362-4623

The Voices of Don Hathaway

On January 13th, 1979, the world lost Donny Hathaway, one of its greatest musicians and singers. In Robert King Jr.'s new thoughtprovoking musical, he introduces us to a side of Donny Hathaway we've never seen before. The musical suggests that the night prior to Donny's jump off of the 15th story of the Essex House Hotel he had a conversation at the bar with a fictional character by the name of Pamela Robinson. Pamela asks Donny what songs he would perform if he knew that he had one last time to perform. Conjuring up a band we are taken into Donny's hallucination of that final concert.

Time: 7:00 PM

Cost: $20.00-$30.00

Address: Dixie Center for the Arts | 212 N Vienna St, Ruston

April 28

Ouachita Live Concert

Join Downtown West Monroe at Ouachita Live! With great local food trucks and great music, it's sure to be a great time! Time: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Cost: Free | Address: Alley Park | 250 Trenton Street, West Monroe

April 29-30

Piney Hills Classic MTB Festival

Piney Hills Classic is the longestrunning MTB in the South. The festival takes place in the beautiful Lincoln Parish Park. The race and trail earned the distinguished status of “NORBA Classic” over a decade ago. Register online today to participate in this epic event!

Time: 8:00 AM | Cost: $10.00-$45.00

Address: 211 Parish Park Rd, Ruston Phone: (601) 720-0297

April 29

Live Well Delta Music, food, health vendors, and fun activities for the whole family will be provided at this year's Live Well Delta event presented by the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Healthy Blue. There will also be free cancer screenings. Appointment sign up is required. Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM | Cost: Free

Address: Monroe Civic Center, Monroe | Phone: (318) 414-9758

Kid's Comic Cupcake Class

If you love both sweet treats and comic books, then this class taught by The Little Sweet Shoppe and Bless Your Art is for you! Kids will become superheroes in the kitchen by learning skills such as coloring buttercream, filling a piping bag, and the comic decorating technique.

Time: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Cost: $25.00 Per Ticket

Address: Art Alley Marketplace

Phone: (318) 547-1611

KOJ Annual Crawfish Boil

The Krewe of Janus is having their annual crawfish boil and tickets are just $35.00 for all you can eat! They are also looking for new members, and if you join at the crawfish boil, membership dues will be reduced by the cost of the ticket.

Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Cost: $35.00 for Non-Members

Address: Krewe of Janus Float Den | 901 Louisville Avenue, Monroe Phone: (318) 348-6000

Texas Guitar Quartet at the Dixie Formed in 2009, GRAMMY™nominated Texas Guitar Quartet has been hailed as “Impeccable in every respect” by Classical Guitar Magazine. Throughout the United States, Central America, Spain, and China, audiences have embraced the quartet for their daring programs, dazzling virtuosity, and joyful musicmaking.

Time: 7:00 PM | Cost: $10.00-$30.00

Address: Dixie Center for the Arts | 212 N Vienna St, Ruston, LA 71270 Phone: (318) 595-0872

April 30

BLEND on the Bayou 2023

Returning to the banks of the Ouachita River, it's northeast Louisiana's premiere food, wine, and arts festival, BLEND. This festival features local men and women who cook, local legendary restaurant chefs, live music, drinks by local sponsors, and a silent auction of works by Region 8 artists. Awards will be given to "Best of BlendRestaurant" and "Best of BlendHome Cook." No one under the age of 21 is permitted to attend.

Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Address: Downtown River Market | 316 South Grand Street, Monroe Phone: (318) 397-6717