Today 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.
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — Help kick off the Columbus Pilgrimage with this block party featuring a crawfish boil and live music by Eden Brent and her band on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St. For more information, contact the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533.
Trombone recital — World-class trombonist Abbie Conant and composer William Osborne present a recital “Music for the End of Time” at 7:30 p.m. in McComas Hall on the Mississippi State campus. For more information, contact Richard Human, 662-325-8021.
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. Guided walking tours are from 7-10 p.m. on nights specified. Please arrive no later than 9:30 p.m. for final tour. For more information, contact the CCVB, 800-920-3533.
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, available for $10 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Tickets are $15 at the door, if available. For more information, contact Brenda Caradine, 662-328-5413.
Tuesday, April 2
Go fly a kite — Celebrate the Pakistani festival of Basant as the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center’s International Café at Mississippi State welcomes spring on the Club Sports Field (behind MSU intramural tennis courts) from 5-7 p.m. Enjoy free Pakistani food and music. Kites will be provided, as well as material to make your own. Or bring your favorite kite with you. For information, contact Bréa Laurén Roth, 662-325-2033.
Cherry Dunn recital — Dr. Cherry Dunn, soprano, will present a faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. She will be accompanied by Nancy Kennedy. The event is free and open to the public.
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.
Thursday, April 4
Noon Tunes — Enjoy live music by Mike Cooper at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St., from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch by Front Door will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Friday, April 5
“Place of Peace: Shelby Foote’s ‘Shiloh'” — From noon to 1 p.m., the Columbus Arts Council hosts scholar Jack White and historian Rufus Ward in a presentation on Foote’s Civil War novel, “Shiloh,” at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. The pivotal Battle of Shiloh took place April 6-7, 1862. The seminar sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Çouncil is free, but seating reservations are requested. A $10 box lunch is available with paid reservations made by noon April 4. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Sunset Symphony — The Jackson-based Mississippi Symphony Orchestra presents a free Sunset Symphony at the Mississippi State University Amphitheater at 7 p.m. Blankets, chairs and picnics are encouraged at the concert featuring a variety of pops music sets. In case of rain, the event will relocate to McComas Hall. For more information, contact Amelia Treptow, 662-325-2930.
Friday and Saturday,
April 5-6
Vet School Open House —
The Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine invites visitors of all ages to its 28th annual Open House from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days at the Wise Center on the south side of campus. April 5 is for preregistered school groups only. The public is welcome April 6 to enjoy a petting zoo, animal shows, demonstrations and more. To register a school group or for more information, contact Brandi Van Ormer, 662-325-0465.
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 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 — Craftsmen create period articles for 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. A Party on the Plaza at the Cadence Bank Plaza on Main Street follows. 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.
Tuesday, April 9
MUW Spring Recital — The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music presents its Spring Recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. The program is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
Wednesday, April 10
Table Talk — Table Talk: A Casual Visit with Books features poetess Catherine Pierce reading from her newest book of poetry, “The Girls of Peculiar.” Pierce is a teacher and co-director of the Mississippi State Creative Writing program. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to socialize; iced tea is always served at this Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library event at the library located at 314 Seventh St. N. The program is from noon to 1 p.m. All are welcome.
Thursday, April 11
Ceramics showcase — Come as you are to a free reception from 5:30-7 p.m. opening a gallery 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.
Tuesday, April 12
Julia Mortyakova recital — Dr. Julia Mortyakova, chair of the Mississippi University for Women Department of Music, presents a recital on piano in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus at 7:30 p.m. She will conduct a Golden Triangle Music Forum master class April 13 at 10 a.m. in Poindexter Hall. Both events are open to the public. For more information, contact the department, 662-241-6399.
Friday and Saturday,
April 12-13
Grilling on the River — This Magnolia State Barbeque Championship sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society offers family entertainment along the Riverwalk in downtown Columbus. Admission is free. Gates are open 4 p.m.-11 p.m. April 12, and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. April 13. No personal coolers, please. 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 his ancestor, Dr. Gideon Lincecum, 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 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.
Columbus Choral Society — The Columbus Choral Society presents a spring concert in Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississippi University for Women at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public.
Thursday, April 18
Super Heroes — The Mississippi University for Women Gordy Honors College Forum presents long-time Marvel Comics editor Bill Roseman speaking on “Super Heroes On and Off the Page.” Roseman has edited titles starring Marvel’s famous characters, from Captain America to Iron Man. The free 6 p.m. presentation in Cochran Hall marks the inaugural Nell Wolfe Peel Lecture Series. For information or to reserve group seating, contact Dr. Thomas Velek at [email protected] or 662-241-6850.
Saturday, April 20
Cotton District Arts Festival — Starkville’s annual arts and crafts festival showcases artisans, music and great food. Don’t miss the 125 vendors, a Taste of Starkville, 5K and 1 mile runs, pet parade, numerous special interest villages and Super Bulldog Weekend Fan Fair. For information, visit cdafestival.com or contact the Starkville Area Arts Council, 662-324-3080.
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