This Month

February 2023

We're Feb-BREWING Some Fun! If you're an artist, be prepared to fall in love with our offerings this month. You can also learn to design your own cookies, cast a line & catch your own dinner, or get in the carnival mood with a custom Mardi Gras MaskAnd for all you lovers, don't miss a movie, trivia, a bike ride, & more all in one night! All this and more - this month at BREC!

Swamp Art Spectacular

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Join us for our 4th Annual Swamp Art Spectacular, featuring work from local artists in the fields of Fabric Arts, Fine Arts and Photography – focusing on the theme “Impressions of Louisiana Nature”. Come visit during the exhibition and vote on your favorite piece in both the youth and adult categories – winners will receive a prize at the end of the show!
Jan. 13-Feb. 26
Normal operating hours

Bluebonnet Forest Planting Volunteer Project

Bluebonnet Swamp Conservation Area

We are working to eradicate a non-native plant from Bluebonnet Swamp Conservation Area and we need your help to plant native trees and shrubs to keep the invasive plants from coming back. This project will require digging with a shovel and potentially carrying heavy plants around.
Feb. 4
9 a.m.-noon

Sweet Tooth Design

Ben Burge Park

Learn the basics of decorating cookies from the correct use of icing to the variety of ways you can top your sweet treat. All participants will get to take their cookie home to show their family, if it doesn’t get eaten right away!
Feb. 9
6-7 p.m.

Art UnWINEd: Clay Sweeties!

Drusilla Lane Park

Tired of the same ol’ paint and drink?! If so, then check out BREC Art’s adult-only, fun and creative grown-up time outs. Each of these classes are designed to encourage and inspire while enjoying beverages and nibbles. All art supplies, nibbles and adult (or not) beverages are included. Great for friend get-togethers, bridal parties, corporate team building or just making new friends! Private ART UnWINEd bookings are also available. Must be 21 to join the fun.
Feb. 10
6:30-8:30 p.m.

10 + Under Tennis Tournament

Highland Road Community Park Tennis Center

This tournament features a singles round robin format with boys and girls divisions: ages 8 and younger on a 36-ft. court with a red ball; ages 10 and younger on a 60-ft. court with an orange ball; ages 10 and younger on a 78-ft. court with an orange or green dot ball. Free snacks and awards for players.
Feb. 11
8:30 a.m.-noon

I Heart My Zoo Day

Baton Rouge Zoo

Join us for a Valentine celebration on February 11th! This special day includes some fun heart and love themed enrichments for our affectionate animals and the kiddos can make a valentine for their favorite Zoo animal! Regular zoo admission applies & free for members!
Feb. 11
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Sweetheart Night

Independence Event Center

Do you have Valentine’s Day Plans? Bring a friend or your sweetheart and join us under the stars for an entertaining night including trivia, a movie showing, a sweetheart bike ride, refreshments, and photos to capture the night!
Feb. 11
5:30-8:30 p.m.

Plus Night

Highland Road Park Observatory

Get something extra beyond standard viewing: sky tours, physical science demos, “birth” stars and a marshmallow roast. Each Plus Night has a unique theme, make sure to check out our website for theme details.
Feb. 11
7-10 p.m.

Art Intensive Workshop – Mono Printing

Baringer Art Center

Join us at BREC’s Baringer Art Center for our first-ever series of workshops for adults. These two-hour workshops will highlight a different art process at each meeting. Designed for participants to learn skills that will enable them to continue their interests on their own. Each session will be taught by professional artist and illustrator, Holly Stone-Barker. All supplies included.
Feb. 13
9:30-11:30 a.m.

Zoo & Me Mornings

Baton Rouge Zoo

This program is designed for 3- to 5-year-old children accompanied by a parent or guardian. Every Zoo & Me Morning incorporates exciting activities including animal encounters, art projects, "Zooper" snacks and many other hands-on projects that you and your child can enjoy together.
Feb. 14
9:30-11:30 a.m. / Ages: 3-5

Artist’s Studio: Painting – Acrylic or Watercolor

Baringer Art Center

Have a question? Need more space? Lack motivation? Then this new, FREE offering from BREC Art is for you! Bring your supplies and your art piece to our studio time and let professional artist, Holly Stone-Barker provide guidance, give useful and practical advice and inspire you to begin or finish a polished piece of art! Basic supplies including water cups, paper towels, a variety of used brushes, basic paint colors, color pencils and a basic palette of watercolors, will be available. REMEMBER: This is NOT a class! This is a time for artists to gather, get advice, share work and meet like-minded friends.
Feb. 17
9:30 a.m.-noon

Family Game Night

Cedar Ridge Drive Park + North Street Park

Want to enjoy family bonding time? Join us for family game night, every third Friday of the month to choose from a variety of activities, board games and teambuilding games. Grab your family members and friends to join us for a night of family fun.
Feb. 17
6-7:30 p.m.

Sunshine Social: Cajun Carnival

Jefferson Highway Park

Dance the night away with BREC Adaptive and Families Helping Families as we host our monthly Sunshine Socials for adults and teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their friends and family. Be creative and dress to match each month's theme. Enjoy dinner, dancing, and door prizes.
Feb. 17
6-9 p.m.

Solar Viewing

Highland Road Park Observatory

HRPO staff shows the Sun via projection, filtered optical light and hydrogen-alpha. Patrons will see any sizable sunspots or flares.
Feb. 18
noon-2 p.m.

Mardi Gras Mask Painting

Independence Community Park

Missed out on the Mardi Gras festivities? No worries. Come and join BREC in an opportunity to not only experience a piece of Mardi Gras but also paint your own masquerade mask. Best mask wins a secret prize. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Feb. 18
noon-2 p.m.

Glow in the Park – Kickball

Baker Park + Independence Community Park

Ready... Set... Glow! Gather friends and family for glow-in-the-dark team-based games at locations throughout the parish.
Feb. 24
6-7:30 p.m.

Saturday Morning Studio: Over there! A Landscape in the Art of Collage

Milton J. Womack Park

Saturday Morning Studio is drawing outside the lines this spring! Each month BREC Art participants will be introduced to an art that relies on creativity instead of artistic skill. While still exercising the basics of art, we will work with unusual mediums and be introduced to new types of art that students may not have much experience with. Join us each month for out-the-box thinking, treats, and creative expression as we learn fun and different ways to “be an artist.”
Feb. 25
10:30 a.m.-noon

Geaux Fish! Catfish Rodeo

Central Sports Park

Grab your fishing pole and head out with the family to GEAUX Fish! Our Geaux Fish Rodeos are a great opportunity to introduce new anglers to the sport of fishing or for the old veteran to test their skills. We will be stocking the pond with adult channel catfish to ensure you have plenty to catch and prizes galore. Don’t miss this chance to bring home channel catfish for dinner and spend the day outside with the family. This event is weather dependent. Early registration is encouraged to guarantee a spot.
Feb. 25
7:30-11:30 a.m.

Swamp Art Spectacular: Meet the Artists Closing Reception

Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center

Are you one of our participating artists or would you like to meet them and share your appreciation for their work? If so, please join us for one of our receptions in association with our Swamp Art Spectacular show. Light refreshments provided.
Feb. 26
2:30-4:30 p.m.

Inclusive Archery

Milton J. Womack Park

We are excited to partner with Outdoor Adventure for Inclusive Archery 101! These one-day inclusive introduction classes teach the fundamentals of archery. Guardians/ Caregivers are encouraged to participate and share in the fun that comes with shooting a bow and arrow. BREC will provide all equipment necessary.
Feb. 28
6-7 p.m.