Today
Book signing — Michael Farris Smith of Columbus will read from his novel “Rivers” at a book signing at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus from 2-4 p.m. Refreshments will be served at this event hosted by the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation.
Farm Tours — The Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Network invites the public to free farm tours today: 8 a.m. at Black Creek Farm, 559 Black Creek Road, Columbus; 11 a.m. at High Hope and Beaverdam, 10705 Milam Road, Cedar Bluff (lunch included); and 2 p.m. at Bountiful Harvest, 1005 S. Montgomery St., Starkville. No registration needed. For more information, visit mssagnet.net or call 662-268-7718.
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Table Talk — Author and illustrator Laurie Parker of Starkville discusses her first novel, “The Matchstick Cross,” at noon at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. The Friends of the Library invite you to bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to socialize; iced tea is provided. Or join friends for the program from noon-1 p.m. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Thursday, Oct. 3
Book signings — Adele Elliott of Columbus will read from her debut novel “Friendship Cemetery” at a book signing from 5-7 p.m. at Hollyhocks, 204 Fifth St. S., in Columbus. Refreshments will be served. She will also attend book signings Oct. 12 from 4-6 p.m. at the North Mississippi Holistic Center, 140 Brickerton, and Oct. 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. For more information, call 662-368-2211 or email [email protected].
Friday, Oct. 4
MSU fall plant sale — Mississippi State’s Horticulture Club and student chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers host their fall plant and wreath sale at the greenhouse area behind Dorman Hall on campus from 8 a.m-5:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 662-325-2311.
Friday, Oct. 4
Black Crowes at Bulldog Bash — Get to Starkville’s Cotton District for family-friendly Fanfare from 3-5 p.m. and Dawg Rally from 5:30-6:30 p.m. A live concert by Chris Young and headliners The Black Crowes follows. Free. For more information, go to msubulldogbash.com or call the Center for Student Activities, 662-325-2930.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5
Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival — This celebration of the unique culture that existed in this once-bustling business and entertainment district features live music, food, children’s activities and more. Entertainers include Genuwine and friends. For more information, contact Kabir Karriem, 662-549-4314.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Art in Autumn — The Mississippi University for Women Department of Art and Design’s Kappa Pi chapter hosts its annual Art in Autumn Auction from 6-9 p.m. in the Eugenia Summer Gallery in the Art and Design Building on campus. The public is invited to silent and live auctions featuring work by students, art faculty, art alumni and other professional artists. For more information, contact Dr. Beverly Joyce, 662-241-7812 or [email protected].
Tuesday, Oct. 8
Jazz at Renasant — The MSU Symphony Association presents a free jazz concert outdoors at Renasant Bank, 500 E. Lampkin St., in Starkville at 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 9
Fun. in concert — The Grammy-winning alternative rock band Fun. (with Roscoe Bandana and Hunter Hunted) will play Mississippi State’s Humphrey Coliseum at 8 p.m. Tickets are $31-41. Doors open at 7 p.m. For tickets or information, visit msuconcerts.com or contact MSU Music Maker, 662-325-2930.
Thursday, Oct. 17
Signature Chefs Auction — This March of Dimes fundraiser at the Hunter Henry Center on Mississippi State’s campus is 6:30-9:30 p.m. Chefs showcase culinary masterpieces as guests enjoy entertainment and silent and live auctions. Tickets are $75. For information or tickets, contact Wendy Parker, 662-523-9333, or go to marchofdimes.com/Mississippi.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 17-19
“Bloody Murder” — Theatre MSU presents Ed Sala’s award-winning murder mystery featuring Agatha Christie at 7:30 p.m. on the McComs Hall Main Stage on campus. Tickets to this fun night of “whodunit” are $10. Buy them at comm.msstate.edu/theatre/tickets or at the door. For more information, contact Theatre MS, 662-325-3203.
Friday, Oct. 18
Bridge grand opening — Celebrate the opening of the newly-restored Old Tombigbee River Bridge at the Columbus Riverwalk with “BBQ & Blues” from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Stroll the historic bridge as award-winning blues artist Grady Champion entertains. Local artwork will be displayed. For more information, contact the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533.
At the piano — Mississippi University for Women presents a solo piano recital by Dr. Valentin Bogdan at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
Friday and Saturday,
Oct. 18-19
Caledonia Days — Caledonia’s 10th annual celebration kicks off Oct. 18 in Ola J. Pickett Park at 7 p.m. with the Win-Wheel Band of Vernon, Ala., American Idol Top 5 finalist Skylar Laine, children’s area and a fireworks show. Activities downtown Oct. 19 begin at 8 a.m. and include a 5K, live music, classic car and tractor show, a dice run, pet parade, lawn mower race and more. For more information, call the Town Hall, 662-356-4117.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 24-26
Welty Symposium — Mississippi University for Women’s Welty Writers’ Symposium features keynote speaker Ellen Gilchrist and writers Steven Barthelme, Mitchell L.H. Douglas, Holly Goddard Jones, Cary Holladay, L. Lamar Wilson, Elizabeth Hughey, Steven Yates, Stephanie Powell Watts, Adam Vines, Stephen Fuller and Michael Farris Smith. For more information, visit muw.edu/welty or contact director Kendall Dunkelberg, 662-329-7386.
Friday, Oct. 25
Welty Gala — New York Times Best Selling author Po Bronson (“Why Do I Love These People?” “What Should I Do With My Life?”) is the featured speaker for the Welty Gala at Mississippi University for Women. Tickets are sold at different levels and offer opportunities for a private reception with the author along with premium seating during dinner. For more information, contact the MUW Office of Alumni and Development, 662-329-7148.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
MUW Choral Concert — The Mississippi University for Women
Singers, Chamber Choir and Chorale are in concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
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