Monday, March 12
National Guard send-off — The public is invited to join a send-off for National Guard members departing Columbus and Starkville for a year’s deployment. In Columbus, show support along the route for a charter bus departing Guard headquarters on Fabritek Drive, off Highway 69, at about 7:30 a.m. with police escort and passing through downtown Columbus. In Starkville, take part in a send-off for Guard members scheduled to depart the National Guard Armory, 939 Highway 12, at 11 a.m.
Quilt reception — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts a quilt exhibit reception at noon, with speaker Lillis Taylor, director of Bib and Tucker Sew-Op from Birmingham, Alabama. Contact the library at 662-329-5300 or email [email protected] for information.
Thursday, March 15
Art in Public Places — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts “Through Their Eyes,” an exhibit of photography by 10 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The exhibit opens at 5:30 p.m. at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 E. Main St., Starkville.
Friday, March 16
Rupert Wates in concert — The Columbus Arts Council presents Rupert Wates with “The Lights of Paris” at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets for members, $15 advance/$17 at door. Non-members, $20/$22, at columbus-arts.org or 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
Saturday, March 17
St. Patrick’s block “pawty” — This Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society fundraiser at Zachary’s in downtown Columbus from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. features Irish festival music (2-7 p.m.), green beer, silent auction and raffle. Please bring shelter supplies (see clhumanesociety.org for needs) or cash donations. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Colin Krieger, 662-329-7653.
Sunday, March 18
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents The Watsons at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free.
Thursday, March 22
John T. Edge — The W’s Nell Peel Wolfe Lecture Series and Gordy Honors College present Southern Foodways Alliance director John T. Edge at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium in Parkinson Hall. The author of “The Potlikker Papers” will sign books after the lecture. Free.
Music showcase — The W’s Department of Music presents a Student Showcase at 8 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. Free.
Thursday through Saturday, March 22-24
Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Music Festival — The 12th annual Charles Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Music Festival features Steve Cheeseborough, Jeff Barnhard, Eddie Erickson, Ivory & Gold and Kris Tokarski in performances and talks at Mississippi State’s Mitchell Memorial Library and McComas Hall. Register, get tickets at library.msstate.edu/festival or call 662-325-6634.
Friday, March 23
Exhibit reception — Mississippi University for Women Galleries hosts a public reception from 4:30-6 p.m. at Summer Hall for “Unique Visions: Elayne Goodman and Herbert Reith” (up March 9-April 13) and “The Art of Terry Cherry” (March 7-April 4).
Friday and Saturday, March 23-24
CAC fundraiser — The Columbus Arts Council’s second annual indoor yard sale at the Rosenzweig Arts Center includes a preview sale March 23 at 7 p.m. ($5 donation at the door) with light refreshments. Doors open March 24 from 7 a.m.-noon (free entry). Booths $15; call 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
Saturday, March 24
Gator Run — This Friends of the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge 5K run, walk and fun run begins at 9 a.m. at the Refuge Welcome Center and benefits Refuge conservation projects. Preregistration $20; race day $25. For information, call 662-323-5548 or email [email protected].
Easter Egg Hunt festival — This event from 12:30-4 p.m. at the Columbus Fairgrounds includes an egg hunt, games for youth, food and entertainment. For more information, email organizer Pierre D. Beard Sr. at [email protected].
Saturday and Sunday, March 24-25
Everything Garden Expo — Oktibbeha County Master Gardeners present vendors, plant sales, kids’ activities and speakers from 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m. March 24 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. March 25 at the Mississippi Horse Park, 869 E. Poor House Road, Starkville. Special guests include “Garden Mama” Nellie Neal, Southern Gardening’s Gary Bachman, Jim DelPrince, more. $5 adults; 6 and under free. For booth space info, call 662-320-9574 or 662-312-6563.
Monday, March 26
Book signing — Michael Farris Smith talks about his latest novel, “The Fighter,” at a book signing from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Open to the public.
Thursday, March 29
Noon Tunes — This free spring series of midday music at Trotter Courtyard in downtown Columbus kicks off with Wayward Priest from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Noon Tunes continues April 5, 12 and 19. For information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Boys & Girls Club Sports Talks — Mississippi State Head Football Coach Joe Moorhead is keynote speaker of this charity fundraiser at The Bryan Building, 228 Lakeview Drive, at MSU. Silent auction opens at 5:30 p.m.; program at 7 p.m. Tickets from $15 for school-age children to $40/$70 at B&G clubs in Columbus/Starkville. Sponsorships available. For information, call 662-418-7285 or 662-615-9980.
Southern Soiree — This Palmer Home for Children fundraiser from 6:30-10 p.m. at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point includes food, music, auction and the Palmer Home Treblemakers choir. Tickets are $75 at palmerhome.ticketspice.com/southern-soiree-2018, or call 662-328-5704, or email events@ palmerhome.org.
Friday through Sunday, March 30-31, April 1
Living Pictures — An Easter tradition, Fairview Baptist Church’s Living Pictures combines music and drama in this presentation at 6:30 p.m. at the church at 127 Airline Road, Columbus. Free to the public.
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