What’s Happening Around Central

CENTRAL — Events coming up in and around Central:

Saturday, September 15 • Art Sale • 8 a.m. to 12 noon

The Art League of Central will be holding an original art sale at the Farmer’s Market at Magnolia Methodist Church on Greenwell Springs.  Everyone is invited to come and meet some of Central’s talented artists.  This is a cash sale only.

September 15 and 16 • Auditions for The Nutcracker

The Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre will hold open auditions for advanced dancers for its 2012-2013 season as well as children’s auditions for The Nutcracker at dancers’ Workshop.  Season auditions will be Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m.  These auditions are for classically trained advanced dancers.  Auditions for children ages 8 to 12 for The Nutcracker will be Sunday, Sept. 16.  Children must be 8 years old by Dec. 31, 2012.  Times are: 12:45 p.m. boys ages 8 and older, 1:15 p.m. girls 8 years old, 2 p.m. girls 9 years old, 2:45 p.m. girls 10 years old, and 3:30 p.m. girls 11-12 years old.  For information, contact Nicole Naquin or Leigh Phillips at 766-8370.

Monday, September 17 • Candidate Forum • 6:30 p.m.

The Republican Women of Central is hosting a Candidate Forum at Kristenwood, 14025 Greenwell Springs.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and forum begins promptly at 7 p.m.  Admission is free.  You will be hearing from Republican candidates for the offices of Congress, Supreme Court, 1st Circuit Court of Appeal, EBR Mayor-President, and Public Service Commission.  There will be a time for socializing and questions with the candidates after the forum.  Dessert buffet provided for social hour after the forum.  Cash bar will be available.

September 18 and 19 • Speaker Dr. Dennis Swanberg

On Tuesday, Sept. 18, the Men’s Ministry of Greenwell Spring Baptist Church will be hosting none other than comedian and speaker Dr. Dennis Swanberg.  Games and activities begin in the gym at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6:30 p.m., then a session with one of the most hilarious Christian comedians around, Dennis Swanberg, aka “the Swan.”  “The Swan” is sticking around for the Wednesday, Sept. 19 service.  For information, call 261-2246 or visit gsbcla.com.

Wednesday, September 19 • Ask the Doctor • 12 noon to 1 p.m.

Join Dr. Gregory Crenshaw of Vascular Specialty Center for an informal question and answer session 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.

Thursday, September 20 • Prostate Cancer Screening • 6 p.m.

Lane Regional Medical Center and urologist Dr. Robert Grissom will host a free prostate cancer screening.  Appointments are required and space is limited.  For information or to schedule an appointment, call 654-5263.

Friday, September 21 • Ignite • 7 p.m.

An Ignite Youth Rally will be held at Life Church Central, 10523 Lovett Rd.  Live music from the Ignite Band and guest speaker will be Tommy DarDar from Bayouland Church in Houma.  For information or to see the Ignite video, go to www.lifechurchcentral.org or call 261-5309.

Saturday, September 22 • Human Nature Concert • 8 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for the Australian Motown group Human Nature at L’Auberge Baton Rouge Event Center.  Floor tickets are $20 and stadium seating is $15.  Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or calling Ticketmaster at 800-488-5252.  Guests must be 21 years of age and present a valid photo ID.  For information, visit www.mylauberge.com.

Monday, September 24 • Brigitte Gabriel • 7 p.m.

Brigitte Gabriel, leading global Islamic terrorism expert, will be a guest speaker at Christian Life Fellowship, 2037 Quail Drive.  Ms. Gabriel will speak on the rise of Islamic radicalism in your community and in our nation.  Her story of survival as a persecuted Christian living in a bomb shelter for seven years will have you captivated and inspired.  Join Rep. Valarie Hodges at this must-attend event as you become more informed about what is happening around the country and what we can do about it!  For information, email hodgesv@legis.la.gov or call 791-2199.

Tuesday, September 25 • Newborn Care Class • 6:30 p.m.

Lane Regional Medical Center will offer a free newborn care class in the staff development classroom.  “Baby Care Basics” covers all you need to know to care for your infant in the first weeks of life.  Partners are encouraged to attend.  Child care is not provided.  Registration is required.  For information or to register, call 654-5263.

Saturday, September 29 • City of Central Bed Race • 9 a.m.

The Central Bed Race, sponsored by the Rotary, will be held at the former Starkey Academy on Joor Road.  The race start is 10 a.m.  Awards for Fastest Team, Best Decorated Bed, and Favorite Sleepwear.  For information, contact Kim McDonald at 261-5111 or Jennifer Hinton at 925-8900, ext. 722.

Saturday, September 29 • Fall Art Crawl • 6 to 9 p.m.

The Zachary Artists Guild will host a Silent Auction during the Fall Art Crawl at the Zachary Chamber of Commerce, 4633 Main St.  Come stroll downtown Zachary, enjoy the art of many local artists, and stop by the Chamber to bid on original art work by Guild members.  Watercolor, oil, photography, acrylic, picture books, and chain saw carvings are some of the art media that will be featured for bid.  Listen to live music and sample wine and local beer.  All proceeds of the Silent Auction will go to the Guild.  For information, contact Margaret Harmon at 788-5999.

Sunday, October 7 • Nutcracker Auditions

The Tri-Parish Ballet will hold auditions for The Nutcracker at Odyssey Academy of Dance, 31342 Hwy. 16 in Denham Springs, for children seven years through advanced dancers.  More than 100 children will be selected to perform with the Houston Ballet II.  Audition times are: 1 p.m. boys, 1:30 p.m. girls 7-9, 2:30 p.m. girls 10-13, 3:30 p.m. girls 14 and up, and 4:15 p.m. advanced dancers.  For information, call Odyssey Academy of Dance at 665-3414 or email triparishballet@aol.com.

October 8 through 31 • Blackwater Pumpkin Patch

The Pumpkin Patch is coming!  Blackwater United Methodist Church, 10000 Blackwater Rd., is once again hosting its incredible Pumpkin Patch with literally thousands of pumpkins for sale!  All sales profits go to benefit missions supported by the church.  Featured will be games, hay rides, car show, crafts fair, space walk, and many other activities.  Bring the whole family.  No admission!  For information, call 261-4646 or visit www.blackwaterumc.org.

Saturday, October 20 • Pumpkin Patch Car Show • 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Exhibitor spaces are available for the third annual Pumpkin Patch Car Show at Blackwater United Methodist Church, 10000 Blackwater Rd.  Pre-reservations ($15) will be accepted until Saturday, Sept. 15.  Open reservation ($20) will begin at 8 a.m. the day of the show.  For information, contact Ben Browning at 261-2546, John Dixon at 261-7557, or Blackwater United Methodist at 261-4646.

Saturday, October 27 • Pumpkin Patch Craft Show • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Pumpkin Patch Craft Show will be held at Blackwater United Methodist Church, 10000 Blackwater Rd.  Booth rental is still available, with indoor booths and electricity available.  For information, contact Jo Anne Lewis at 261-4646 or Joanne@blackwaterumc.org.