Sunday, March 26
Hayden Allen benefit — A benefit for the family of the late Hayden Allen is 2-8 p.m. in downtown Columbus, hosted by Zachary’s and the Elbow Room at Fifth Street North and Second Avenue North. Thirteen bands, raffle, food and more. $10 donation.
Tuesday, March 28
Army Field Band — Mississippi State hosts the U.S. Army Field Band, performing in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus at 7:30 p.m. Visit music.msstate.edu.
Thursday, March 30
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — The Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation and Visit Columbus open the 77th annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage with home tours (9 a.m.-noon; 2-5 p.m.), carriage rides (9 a.m.-until) and a kickoff party from 5-8 p.m. next to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St. Mustache the Band entertains at the party: Boiled crawfish, shrimp plates available for purchase. Call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191 for more information.
Noon Tunes begins — Brent Varner entertains at the first of four Thursdays of midday music from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard, downtown Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s available for purchase. Contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305, for more information.
Starkchella — This event at Mississippi State University Amphitheater from 5-8 p.m. includes music, a fashion show and other activities to raise awareness about prevention of sexual assault. Admission free, but register in advance at health.msstate.edu/health. For information, call 662-325-2090.
Thursday and Friday, March 30-31
“Into the Woods Jr.” — Columbus Middle School and Columbus High School present a new take on Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s musical fairytale at 6:30 p.m. in the Middle School auditorium, 175 MS-373. Tickets $5.
Thursday, March 30 through Saturday, April 1
Ragtime Jazz Festival — Mississippi State University Libraries present the 11th annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival on campus, featuring the Gatsby Gala, seminars and performances by the Dan Levinson Roof Garden Jass Band, Brian Holland and Jeff Barnhart. Learn more at library.msstate.edu/festival or call 662-325-6634.
Thursday, March 30 through Saturday, April 8
Spring Pilgrimage — The 77th Columbus Spring Pilgrimage begins Thursday with a Kickoff Party and antebellum home tours, and lasts through April 8. Daily tours are offered, plus special events listed in today’s calendar. Tour packages are $30; $25 seniors/military; $12 students. Discounts available for groups of 20 or more. Carriage rides and double decker bus rides are available as scheduled. For information or tickets, go to Visit Columbus, 117 Third St. S., or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191, or go to visitcolumbusms.org.
Friday, March 31
Kim C. Gee 5K — The 10th annual Kim C. Gee 5K Fight Cancer Glow Run begins at 6 p.m. at The Junction at Mississippi State University. Registration $15; students $10. Register at relay.acsevents.org/glowruns.
Friday, March 31
and April 3, 5, 7
Tales from the Crypt — This Pilgrimage event from 7-10 p.m. features dramatic vignettes by Mississippi School for Math and Science students at historic Friendship Cemetery, 1400 Fourth St. S. Tickets on site are $5 adults; $3 students. Wear comfortable walking shoes and please arrive no later than 9 p.m. For more information, call 662-329-1191 or 800-920-3533.
Women of Distinction Luncheon — The second annual Golden Triangle Women of Distinction Luncheon is 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Starkville’s First Baptist Church Outreach Center, 210 S. Jackson. Tickets $30. Call 662-350-6037 or email [email protected].
Friday, March 31 through Sunday, April 2
“Let’s Go to the Movies” — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents this musical revue at 7 p.m. March 31, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 1, and 2 p.m. April 2 at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Tickets $10 at Petal Pushers and First United Methodist Church in West Point, and the Campbell Center Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m.
Saturday, April 1
Pilgrimage Half-Marathon, 5K — The fourth annual Pilgrimage Half-Marathon begins at 7 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St. A 5K starts at 7:15 a.m. For online registration (through March 30) and course description, go to columbushalfmarathon5K.com. On-site registration also available.
Catfish in the Alley –This Pilgrimage event with live music by Grady Champion, Keith Johnson and the Big Muddy Band, Big Joe Shelton and Terry “Harmonica” Bean is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in historic Catfish Alley (Fourth Street South, from Main to College Streets). Catfish and other Southern fare available for purchase. Also visit artisans with hand-crafted wares and homemade food items. For more information, call 662-329-1191 or 800-920-3533.
Mayor’s Unity Picnic — All are welcome at a free community-wide picnic at 4 p.m. at the Columbus Riverwalk at the west end of Main Street in downtown Columbus.
Sunday, April 2
Book signing — At this Pilgrimage event, author and artist Laurie Parker of Starkville signs copies of her most current novel, “Trespassers Talking,” from 2-4 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St.
MUW recital — Susan Hurley, soprano, will present a program at 3 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Free to the public.
Thursday, April 6
Noon Tunes — Jeffrey Rupp entertains at Noon Tunes from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s available for purchase. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Exhibit reception — The Columbus Arts Council hosts a free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., opening an exhibit by Melissa Morgan in the gallery and featuring artwork from New Hope High School in Artist Alley. Call 662-328-2787 for more information.
Saturday, April 8
Cotton District Arts Festival — Starkville’s Cotton District Festival features vendors, live music, Taste of Starkville, a poetry slam, pet parade, International Village, Writers Village, Celtic Village and more from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Access the full schedule at cdafestival.com or call 662-324-3080.
Girlchoir Home Tour, Brunch — The home of Rick and Edna McGill at 663 Greenbriar Drive, Columbus, is the site of a Columbus GirlChoir Home Tour and Brunch fundraiser from 10 a.m.-noon. Tickets are $20 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., or at the door.
Pilgrimage Garden Party — Stroll through the Colonnade Garden at 620 Second St. S., between 3-6 p.m. while enjoying mint juleps and cheese straws. Tickets are $15, available at Pilgrimage headquarters, 117 Third St. S.
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