Monday, Dec. 31
New Year’s Eve ball drop — Geno and the Mississippi Blues Boys entertain at Columbus’ downtown block party and New Year’s Eve ball drop at Leadership Plaza, at College Street and Fifth Street South. The party from 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m. includes a $500 cash giveaway after the ball drop at midnight. Admission is $5. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
New Year’s Eve party — This New Year’s celebration from 7:30 p.m.-1 a.m. features music by Freeway at Trotter Convention Center. Ticket price includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, free brew and set-ups, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and breakfast. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For information, contact Glenn Baldwin at 662-386-1542 or Kenneth Montgomery at 662-327-2663.
Thursday, Jan. 3
Gallery opening — The Columbus Arts Council and T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disabilities present the art exhibit “Express Yourself!” at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. The public is invited to a free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. A small exhibit by local photographers also opens Jan. 3 in the gallery’s Artist Alley. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Tuesday, Jan. 8
Celebrate Elvis — Mark the birthday of the King of Rock and Roll with an Elvis-inspired “Love Me Tender Meal” of burgers and fixings at 5:30 p.m.(get $10 advance dinner tickets by Jan. 5), followed by a free lecture, “The Hillbilly Cat: Local Roots and National Impact of Elvis Presley’s Music,” by Carla Falkner of the Mississippi Humanities Council Speakers Bureau. The evening at the Rosenzweig Arts Center concludes with Elvis tunes by Shane Tubbs and birthday cake. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Jan. 12
“All That Jazz” — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Orchestra presents this free concert at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Starkville. For more information about the orchestra, visit starkvillemsusymphony.org.
Ongoing
Historic home tours — Daily tour schedules of some of Columbus’ most historic homes are available from the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center at 300 Main St., or by calling 662-328-0222. Tour fees may apply. Homes open for tours year-round include: Amzi Love Home (c. 1848), Lee Home/Museum (c. 1847), Rosedale (c. 1856), Rosewood Manor (c. 1835), Temple Heights (c. 1837), Tennessee Williams Home (c. 1875), Waverley Mansion (c. 1852) and Whitehall (c. 1843).
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