Tuesday, March 19
“Oh, Mr. Faulkner” — Sorry, all seats are filled for John Maxwell’s “Oh, Mr. Faulkner, Do You Write?” at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, but the Columbus Arts Council asks those with advance tickets to bring a new or gently-used children’s book to be donated to local nonprofit agencies.
Exhibit reception — A free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Gallery at the corner of Main Street and Lafayette Street in downtown Starkville opens a show of abstract art by 13 different artists. All are welcome. Regular gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 21
Noon Tunes — Don’t miss this spring’s first Noon Tunes at the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Enjoy live music by Paul Brady from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bring lunch or purchase lunch by Zachary’s on-site. Main Street Columbus presents Noon Tunes each Thursday through April 18. For more information, contact MSC, 662-328-6305.
Thursday, March 21 and Saturday, March 23
Friends of the Library Book Sale — Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library host a book sale March 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and March 23 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the second floor of the library at 314 Seventh St. N. Proceeds help purchase new books and fund activities such as the summer reading program. For information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Friday, March 22
Piano recital — Mississippi University for Women presents guest pianist Evgeny Rivkin in Poindexter Hall’s Kossen Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. This program sponsored by the Leslie F. Threadgill Lecture and Artist Series is free and open to the public. Rivkin will also present a master class March 23 at 10 a.m. in Poindexter Hall, free and open to the public. For more information, call 662-241-6399.
Friday and Saturday,
March 22-23
Everything Garden Expo — This gardening exposition presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council returns to the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville for the fifth year. Enjoy a variety of vendors and speakers from 9 a.m.- 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5; children under 6 attend free. For more information, contact the SAAC, 662-324-3080.
Thursday, March 28
Noon Tunes — Main Street Columbus presents live music by Katie Burchfield at the Trotter Courtyard in downtown Columbus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunches by Zachary’s will be available for purchase. For more information, contact MSC, 662-328-6305.
Ragtime Jazz Festival — The seventh annual Charles Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival on the Mississippi State campus features entertainment and talks by Frederick Hodges, Jeff Barnhart, Brian Holland and Carl Sonny Leyland, as well as ragtime expert David Jason. Also tour the Templeton Music Museum in Mitchell Memorial Library. All Event badges are $50; single day tickets are $30. Individual concert tickets are $10. MSU students attend free with ID. A discount is available for seniors and retired MSU faculty/staff. View the schedule and register at library.msstate.edu/templeton/festival, or contact Lydia Graham at [email protected] or 662-325-6634.
Friday, March 29
Cary Hudson, Laurie Stirratt — This celebrated alt-country, roots rock duo take an acoustic side trip from their Blue Mountain band for a special night of music in the intimate Omnova Theater at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Sunday, March 31 through Saturday, April 13
Columbus Pilgrimage — This annual spring event features home, garden and church tours, dramatic presentations, carriage rides, double decker bus rides, a 10K and kids’ 1 mile fun-run, Tales from the Crypt and much more. Visit columbus-ms.org or call 800-920-3533 to learn more.
Monday, April 1
Meador marker unveiling — The public is invited to attend the official opening of the Josh Meador Trail. Meet at the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, 117 Third St. S., at 10 a.m. for coffee and Danishes before traveling by double-decker bus to the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library and then Temple Heights for the unveiling of the marker commemorating Walt Disney animator Josh Meador, who grew up in Columbus. For more information, contact the CVB, 800-920-3353 or 662-329-1191.
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — Help kick off the Columbus Pilgrimage with this festive block party featuring a crawfish boil and live music by Eden Brent and her band on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center at 300 Main St. For more information, contact the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Monday, April 1 through Saturday, April 13
“Kingdom of Earth” — The Tennessee Williams Tribute Committee presents Williams’ “Kingdom of Earth” in the former Alford Drug Co. location at 425 Main St. Performances are 7:30 p.m. nightly, except April 7 at 2:30 p.m. The three-person play featuring Cherri Golden, Alex Orsak and David Trotter is directed by MJ Etua. Seating is limited; advance tickets are recommended. They are $10 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., or $15 at the door, if available. For more information, contact Brenda Caradine, 662-328-5413.
Wednesday, April 3
Table Talk — Table Talk: A Casual Visit with Books celebrates the theme “Let’s Live in the Books of My Childhood” each Wednesday in April at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. On April 3, see a side of Columbus politicians not normally seen as Charlie Box, Leroy Brooks, Lisa Younger Neese, Harry Sanders and Robert Smith finish the sentence “My Favorite Childhood Book Is …” Friends of the Library invite you to bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to socialize; tea is always served. Talks are from noon to 1 p.m. All are welcome; there is no charge.
Luncheon with Books — West Point’s Friends of the Bryan Public Library host writer Claire Spradling of West Point discussing her debut book, “Duress,” at noon, at 338 Commerce St. Luncheon cost is $6. The library will also hold its annual book sale April 15-20 in its Esther Pippen Meeting Room. For more information, contact the library, 662-494-4872.
April 3, 5, 8, 10, 12
Tales from the Crypt — Return to yesteryear with this award-winning presentation of dramatic vignettes inspired by some of Columbus’ most intriguing citizens interred at historic Friendship Cemetery. Students from the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science research and interpret these men and women who helped shape the region. The walking tours are from 7-10 p.m. on nights specified. For more information, contact the CCVB, 800-920-3533.
Friday, April 5
“Place of Peace: Shelby Foote’s ‘Shiloh'” — From noon to 1 p.m., the Columbus Arts Council presents scholar Jack White with a talk about Foote’s Civil War novel, “Shiloh,” at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. The tragic and pivotal Battle of Shiloh took place April 6-7, 1862. This program, sponsored in part by the Mississippi Humanities Çouncil, is free; lunch will be available for $10; advance ticket purchase requested. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Friday and Saturday,
April 5-6
Plant sale — Mississippi State’s horticulture club hosts its annual plant sale April 5 from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and April 6 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the campus greenhouses behind Dorman Hall on campus. Proceeds benefit club service projects. For more information, contact MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, 662-325-2311.
Saturday, April 6
Farmers’ Market — The Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market at Second Street and Second Avenue North opens for Saturdays only in April, 7-10 a.m. For more information about vendors’ booths for the 2013 season, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Pilgrimage 10K — This 10K run and kids’ 1 mile fun run sponsored by the Golden Triangle Running and Cycling Club and the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau starts at 8 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St. Register at runcyclegtr.org.
Artisans Alley — Watch craftsmen create period articles at this annual Pilgrimage feature from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. For more information, contact the CCVB, 800-920-3533.
Mayor’s Unity Picnic — Columbus Mayor Robert Smith hosts an annual Unity Picnic at 5 p.m. at the Riverwalk in downtown Columbus. Enjoy free food, entertainment and fellowship. All are welcome.
175th Birthday Parade — Starkville celebrates a milestone year with a downtown parade beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Jennifer Prather at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322.
Southern Soirée — This benefit for the Palmer Home for Children begins at 6 p.m. at The Stables on Woodside Drive in Starkville. Guests will enjoy a Southern spread, as well as music and a silent auction. Tickets are $40, available at palmerhome.org. For more information, contact Katherine Hewlett, 662-328-5704.
Thursday, April 11
Ceramics showcase — Come as you are to a free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. opening an exhibit of ceramics by Mississippi University for Women art students at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center at 501 Main St. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Friday and Saturday,
April 12-13
Grilling on the River — This Magnolia State Barbeque Championship sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society takes place along the Riverwalk in downtown Columbus. For more information, email [email protected] or call 662-328-6850.
Saturday, April 13
Book signing — The Columbus Pilgrimage and Convention and Visitors Bureau present a book signing with historian and author Rufus Ward at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St., at 10 a.m. Ward will sign his latest book, “Columbus Chronicles: Tales from East Mississippi.” For more information, contact the CCVB, 800-920-3533.
West Point Art Walk — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents a day of arts and music. Downtown businesses will host a variety of artists from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. A concert by HanaLena (formerly Nash Street) begins at 7 p.m. at Center Stage. Concert tickets are $15 (seniors 65+ and those under 18 attending with an adult are admitted free.) For more information, contact Monte Brasfield, 662-494-1371.
Looking back — Texas historian and storyteller Dr. Jerry Lincecum presents a talk at 1 p.m. at Plymouth Bluff Center, based on the writings of Dr. Gideon Lincecum, his great-great-great grandfather, who settled at Columbus in 1818 and played a key role in the area’s development. The program at 2200 Old West Point Road is in honor of the late Columbus architect and historian Sam Kaye. It is free to the public as a presentation of the Mississippi University for Women’s Plymouth Bluff Center and the Billups-Garth Foundation.
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