Monday, Oct. 23
Pumpkin Splash — Children of all ages are invited to dive in for the perfect pumpkin from 4-6:30 p.m. at Mississippi University for Women’s Stark Recreation Center pool. Music, snacks, games and crafts are provided. Appropriate swim attire is required. $3 for large pumpkins; $2 for small (limit three pumpkins). For more information, contact Campus Recreation, 662-241-7494.
Mondays, Oct. 23 and Nov. 6
Hazard Lecture Series — At 7 p.m. Oct. 23 the annual Hazard Lecture Series presents Julian Rankin and Elizabeth Abston of the Mississippi Museum of Art, speaking on “Mississippi’s Marie Hull.” At 7 p.m. Nov. 6, educator/author Carolyn Brown speaks on “Today’s Lessons: Introducing Mississippi’s Artist Kate Freeman Clark.” The free programs are at Heritage Academy Elementary School, 623 Willowbrook Road, Columbus. Call 662-327-1556 (ext. 211) for more information.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 26-28
“Silent Sky” — Mississippi University for Women Theatre presents “Silent Sky” by Lauren Gunderson at 7:30 p.m. in Cromwell Theatre. Tickets are $10; $5 for area college and high school students with ID. Call 662-329-7354 for reservations, or email David Carter, [email protected].
MUW Haunted House — The W’s Leadership Program hosts a haunted house fundraiser from 8-11 p.m. in Cochran Hall. Admission is $4; a portion of proceeds goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For more information, call Student Life, 662-329-7350.
Friday, Oct. 27
Vienna Boys Choir — The Columbus Arts Council presents the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium, 262 Lee Blvd. on the Mississippi State University campus. General seating $35; Premiere seating $50. (Youth 6-21 $15; age verified at door). Purchase tickets at columbus-arts.org or call the CAC, 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
Oct. 27-28, 30-31
CPD Haunted House — The Benefit Fund Committee on behalf of the Columbus Police Department presents this Haunted House and related fun activities from 6-11 p.m. in front of Trotter Convention Center and nearby to benefit the CPD citywide toy drive. Haunted House tickets are $10. Inflatables and train rides for kids are $2.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Hail-Oween Festival — This event is 5-9 p.m. J.L. King Park, 400 N. Long St., Starkville, with a mobile video game trailer, bounce houses, costume contest and food vendors. Call 662-323-2294 for more information.
Saturday and Monday, Oct. 28 and 30
“War of the Worlds” — Columbus Community Theatre presents this “radio play” that originally aired Oct. 30, 1938. Performances are 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Call 662-328-2471 for tickets or information (closed Mondays).
Sunday, Oct. 29
Community Fall Festival — A community-wide Fall Festival from 4-6:30 p.m. includes Trunk or Treat, cake walks, crafts, costume contests, games, food and more on College Street in downtown Columbus, between Annunciation Catholic Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church; hosted by Annunciation, St. Paul’s, First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church. Donations to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society will be accepted.
Monday, Oct. 30
Hail-Oween Trunk or Treat — Starkville Parks and Recreation presents a Trunk or Treat and Haunted Egg Hunt from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Starkville Sportxplex, 405 Lynn Lane. $5 hamburger/hot dog plates venefit the Starkville-Oktibbeha School District Sudduth Elementary Playground project. Call 662-323-2294 for more information.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Halloween in the Garden — MSU Trial Gardens invites ghosts and goblins and their families to the Trick or Treat Trail at 60 Technology Boulevard in Starkville from 4-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 1-18
Citywide turkey drive — The Benefit Committee on behalf of the Columbus Police Department hosts an annual turkey drive to provide meals for needy or disabled seniors in Columbus. Drop off locations are the CPD lobby Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., or Parks and Recreation Office at Propst Park. For information, contact Rhonda Sanders, 662-251-7355 or 244-3500.
Thursday, Nov. 2
Writers’ Series — The Columbus Arts Council presents authors Lisa Howorth of Oxford’s Square Books, and Deborah Johnson of Columbus at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Free to the public. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Friday, Nov. 3
Lyceum Series — Mississippi State University’s Lyceum Series presents Ailey II. The New York-based dance company established by choreographer Alvin Ailey performs at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. Tickets are $25; $20 for MSU seniors and MSU employees; $10 children. For more information, call 662-325-2930 or visit lyceum.msstate.edu.
Friday through Sunday, Nov. 3-5
Downtown Christmas Open House — Downtown Columbus merchants host Christmas Open House Nov. 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 5 from 1-5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 4
Art in Autumn Auction — Kappa Pi and MUW’s Department of Art and Design present the 14th annual Art in Autumn Auction from 6-9 p.m. in Summer Hall on campus. A silent auction is 6-7 p.m.; a live auction begins at 7 p.m. Free to the public. For information, call 662-329-7341.
Sunday, Nov. 5
Music Trail celebration — Bring the family for a 2 p.m. celebration of three new drums and oversized chimes added to the Pilot Club of Starkville Music Trail at J.L. King Park in Starkville. Enjoy a demo by Bob Damm, a Brain Minders Puppet Show and refreshments. For information, email [email protected].
Nov. 9-10, 12, 14-19
“To Kill a Mockingbird” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this classic Southern drama at 7:30 p.m. nightly (except 2 p.m. on Sundays) at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St. Tickets are $15; $10 students. Limited seating. Reserve tickets by calling the box office, 662-323-6855.
This month
MUW Galleries — “Intersections of Gender and Place,” artwork by Teresa Cole, Shawne Major, Amy Pleasant (through Nov. 1) and “Multiple Views: A Photographic Collective,” work by Eric Studdard, Shelby Prestage, Chris Jenkins, Dana Jenkins (through Nov. 2).
MSU Colvard Art Gallery — Jeanette Jarmon of Columbus displays “From Real to Imagined” at the MSU Colvard Student Union Gallery through Nov. 2.
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