Sept. 5-10, 12-14
“Arsenic and Old Lace” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this classic dark comedy at the 7:30 p.m. nightly (except Sunday at 2 p.m.) at Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 students. For advance reservations, contact the box office, 662-323-6855.
Thursday, Sept. 7
Moon Lake Gala — The four-day Tennessee Williams Tribute opens with this party at 6:30 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus, featuring an original short play, music, drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $50 at tennesseewilliamstribute.org or call 662-368-8591. (All-access weekend pass is $100.)
Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 7-10
Tennessee Williams Tribute — The 16th annual Tribute celebrates “The Elvis Factor,” exploring connections between two iconic Mississippians. See the calendar below for Tribute events, or visit tennesseewilliamstribute.org. Many events are free. Get tickets for events that require them at the website or at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. or call 662-368-8591.
Friday, Sept. 8
TWT Scholars Luncheon — Steve Pieschel is honored at this Tennessee Williams Tribute luncheon at 11:30 a.m. that includes classical music and “Williams’ wit and wisdom” at the home of John and Eulalie Davis. Tickets are $40 at tennesseewilliamstribute.org or the Columbus Arts Council, 501 Main St.
“Stella” Shouting Contest — Don’t miss this playful Tennessee Williams Tribute homage at Hollyhocks at 5:30 p.m., 204 Fifth St. S. in downtown Columbus. Participants shout “Stella” (a la Stanley Kowalski’s character in “A Streetcar Named Desire”) to “Stella” and judges on the balcony. Free for participants and spectators.
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 8-9
TWT breakfasts — The Tennessee Williams Tribute hosts “The Backstory Breakfast” at 9 a.m. Friday at the Puckett House, corner of College Street and 11th Street South. David Roby and Christopher Blank discuss “From ‘Battle of Angels’ to ‘Orpheus Descending’.” On Saturday at 9 a.m. “Tom’s Columbus” explores Williams and “the Elvis Factor,” as well as local color, at the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St. Both events are free.
TWT Acting Workshops — Free community acting workshops with playwright, actor and director David Roby are offered Friday at 2:30 p.m. and Saturday at 3 p.m. at Mississippi University for Women’s Cromwell Theatre, 647 10th St. S., a Tennessee Williams Tribute event.
Friday through Sunday, Sept. 8-10
“Orpheus Descending” — The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents this Williams play at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, at Mississippi University for Women’s Cromwell Theatre, 647 10th St. S., directed by David Roby. Tickets $20 ($15 seniors/military; $10 students) at tennesseewilliamstribute.org or the Columbus Arts Council. For mature audiences. For information, call 662-368-8591.
Saturday, Sept. 9
Shots Felt Around the World — Columbus Rotary Club hosts this shooting sports tournament at 8 a.m. at Prairie Wildlife near West Point, supporting local service projects and Rotary’s global mission to eradicate polio. Afternoon dove hunt also offered. Spectator lunches $18; Lawn chairs encouraged; no pets/coolers. For details, contact Stacy Madison, 601-562-2761, [email protected].
Christopher’s Hope 5K/10K — Christopher’s Hope 5K Walk/10K Run is at 7 a.m. at the Columbus Soccer Complex (on-site registration opens 6 a.m.), dedicated to suicide prevention and the memories of lives lost to suicide. First 100 registered receive T-shirt. Register at racesonline.com/events/christopher-s-hope. For information, call 662-327-2968.
Porch Plays — The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents porch performances of Williams’ scenes and monologues at 10:30 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St. Free. A double-decker bus tour of Southside is available.
TWT Cinema — The Tennessee Williams Tribute screens the 1960 film “The Fugitive Kind” (Marlon Brando, Joanne Woodward), based on the play “Orpheus Descending,” at 1 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Free.
Southern Settings & Eccentric Characters — The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents author Michael Farris Smith discussing Southern literature at 5 p.m. at the home of George and Marion Hazard. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres are included. Tickets $30 at tennesseewilliamstribute.org or the Columbus Arts Council, 501 Main St.
MSU-Starkville Symphony — The Symphony Association opens its fall season at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on the Mississippi State campus. The free concert includes works by Handel, Neruda, Walters and Dvorak.
Sunday, Sept. 10
Tribute sermon — In conjunction with the Tennessee Williams Tribute, a unique sermon at 8 and 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 318 College St., explores imagery in “Orpheus Descending,” from Greek myth to the church. Free.
Home tour, carriage rides — To conclude the Tribute, between 1 and 4 p.m. tour Williams’ birthplace at 300 Main St. and enjoy a carriage ride through Columbus’ Southside. Visit tennesseewilliamstribute.org.
Thursday, Sept. 14
Starkville Friends of the Library — Charlie Spillers, author of “Confessions of an Undercover Agent,” talks at noon at the Starkville Friends of the Library’s Books and Authors series, 326 University Dr., followed by a book signing. Come for snacks at 11:30 a.m. Free.
Exhibit reception — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts a free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. opening an exhibit of abstract art at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 E. Main St. For more information, call 662-324-3080.
Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 14-17
“Steel Magnolias” — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents the play “Steel Magnolias” at 7 p.m. Sept. 14-16 and 2 p.m. Sept. 16-17 at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts in West Point. Tickets are $10 at Petal Pushers and First Untied Methodist Church in West Point, or the arts center from 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays.
Friday, Sept. 15
Air Force Birthday Ball — Columbus Air Force Base celebrates the 70th anniversary of the Air Force and 75th anniversary of the base at Trotter Convention Center. Social hour is 6 p.m.; main event 7 p.m. AETC Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brown is the speaker. The 41st Army Band performs. Visit tickettailor.com/all-tickets/19801/d536/.
Bulldog Bash — This annual event includes a Maroon Market at 2 p.m., a Battle of the Bands and concert featuring DNCE in downtown Starkville at the intersection of Jackson and Main Streets. Free. For more information, visit msubulldogbash.com.
Saturday, Sept. 23
Run United 5K — United Way of North Central Mississippi hosts a kickoff 5K at 8 a.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex. Check-in is 7 a.m.. Registration ($25 early; $30; $35 day-of) includes T-shirt and snacks. For more information, visit unitedwayncms.com or call 662-323-3830.
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23
Possum Town Tales Storytelling Festival — Side-splitting laughter and live music as nationally-known professional tellers Bil Lepp of West Virginia and the Rev. Robert B. Jones of Michigan entertain at the Columbus Arts Council’s storytelling fest at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. Columbus native and teller Jim Lavender of Virginia adds a Possum Town flair. For information, visit columbus-arts.org or call 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
Thursday, Sept. 28
Downtown Columbus Art Walk — Visit local artists in downtown Columbus businesses from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Shopping after hours, live music and kids’ activities are on tap, too. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305, or the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
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