Tuesday, Feb. 28
MSU turns 139 — Stop by Mississippi State University’s Colvard Student Union Dawg House for complimentary cake, ice cream and drinks between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. as the university celebrates its 139th anniversary. The party is presented by Renasant Bank.
Wednesday, March 1
A Reading and Conversation with Rita Dove — The MSU College of Arts & Sciences Institute for Humanities presents Rita Dove, former poet laureate of the U.S., at 7:30 p.m. in McCool Hall on the Mississippi State campus. Open to the public.
Thursday, March 2
Gary Bachman — Lowndes County Master Gardeners present horticulturist and columnist Gary Bachman, host of Southern Gardening television and radio programs, at 6 p.m. on the lower level of Trotter Convention Center, Columbus. Free to the public.
Exhibit reception — The Columbus Arts Council hosts a 5:30-7 p.m. reception opening a gallery exhibit by Alan Creel. Nicholas Ryan is featured in the adjacent Artist Alley. For information, call 662-328-2787.
Mississippi Writers’ Series — The Columbus Arts Council presents author, radio host, music scholar Scott Barretta as he explores Mississippi artists that earn the state the title “Birthplace of America’s Music,” 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. For information, call 662-328-2787.
Southern Soiree — Palmer Home for Children hosts this fundraiser with food, live music and auction at 6:30 p.m. at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point. Tickets are $75 at eventbrite.com. For information, call 662-328-5704 or visit palmerhome.org.
Thursday through Saturday, March 2-4
Blues for Willie Festival — The Columbus Arts Council presents a weekend of blues in honor of late bluesman Willie King, featuring author/radio host Scott Barretta (March 2), Eden Brent (March 3), Vasti Jackson and Stormy Monday (March 4) and a Bikin’ for the Blues motorcycle charity ride. Visit columbus-arts.org or call 662-328-2787.
Friday and Saturday, March 3-4
Music by Women — Mississippi University for Women presents the Music by Women Festival, with free performances at noon, 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. both days in Poindexter Hall on campus. Visit muw.edu/musicbywomen for a schedule and information on registration for informational sessions/lectures.
Magnolia Independent Film Festival — “The Mag” celebrates its 20th anniversary with screenings of features, shorts and documentaries at Hollywood Premier Cinemas in Starkville. Admission $10 per session, or $30 for all-festival pass, $40 VIP pass. Student tickets are $5, or $15 for all-festival pass. See the schedule at starkvillearts.net/magnolia-film-festival-2017.html. For more information, contact Erin Davies, 662-324-3080.
Saturday, March 4
Bikin’ for the Blues — This motorcycle charity ride presented by VFW Riders Group Post 4272, the Richard E. Holmes II Memorial Foundation and Columbus Arts Council is $20 per bike. Check-in begins at 11 a.m.; ride starts at 1 p.m. at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, Columbus. Preregister by Feb. 25 for drawing for $50. Get forms at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., 662-328-2787.
Sunday, March 5
The Making of Mississippi and Alabama — On the 200th anniversary of the separation of the Territory of Alabama from the Mississippi Territory, speakers Phillip Carroll Morgan, Clay Williams, Jack Elliott Jr. and Mike Bunn present “Borderline Confusion: Cultures and Conflict in the Making of Mississippi and Alabama,” from 2-4 p.m. at Mississippi University for Women’s Nissan Auditorium. Open to the public.
“Trial by Jury” — The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association presents the humorous dramatic cantata “Trial by Jury” by Gilbert & Sullivan at 3 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 607 Hospital Road, Starkville. Free to the public.
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts the opening of an exhibit of paintings by Karen Powell and pottery by Jane Dill at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Arts Center, Commerce St., West Point. Free to the public.
Monday, March 6
Choral concert — Mississippi University for Women presents a choral concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on campus. Free to the public.
Wednesday, March 8
Library quilt reception — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts a noon reception for an exhibition of quilts from Lowndes and surrounding counties. Mary Lohrenz speaks on “Mississippi Quilts: A Patchwork of History and Art.” Quilt display is up March 1-April 28. For information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
MUW galleries
MUW gallery exhibits — In the Mississippi University for Women galleries, Art and Design Building – Through March 5: W Juried Student exhibit. March 8-April 7: Mississippi State Commission of the National Museum for Women in the Arts exhibit.
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