Today and Monday,
Aug. 30-31
“Nunsense” auditions — Starkville Community Theatre hosts auditions for “Nunsense,” by Dan Goggin. Try out for one of five female roles at The Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville, at 6:30 p.m. Production dates are Nov. 12-13 and 16-21. Visit sct-online.org.
Now through Sept. 14
Plein Air Painting exhibit — Plein air paintings by eight area artists including Briar Jones, Betty Jane Chatham and Joe MacGown are displayed at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 Main St., Starkville, presented by the Starkville Area Arts Council.
Wednesday, Sept. 2
Table Talk — September’s Wednesday Table Talks begin with Carolyn Brown discussing her biography of Eudora Welty, “A Daring Life,” and her recently-published work on Mississippi poet/novelist Margaret Walker, “Song of My Life.” Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., to socialize before the program begins at noon. Iced tea served. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Thursday, Sept. 3
Columbus Art Walk — Stroll historic downtown Columbus from 5:30-7:30 p.m. to meet artists displaying their artwork at downtown merchants. Enjoy live music and dine in local restaurants. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus,
662-328-6305.
Exhibit reception — A free reception at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. introduces “Prairie Images: The Way I See It,” watercolors by Frances Hairston. For information, call 662-328-2787.
Sarah McQuaid in concert — Following the Art Walk, the Columbus Arts Council presents UK-based folksinger/songwriter/guitarist Sarah McQuaid in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
ZZ Ward — Mississippi State’s Lyceum Series presents ZZ Ward at Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus at 7 p.m. Go to MSUconcerts.com for information and tickets, or call 662-325-2930.
Guitar recital — Michael Patilla presents a classical guitar recital at Giles Auditorium on the Mississippi State campus at 7:30 p.m. Free.
Friday, Sept. 4
Black Prairie Blues Festival — Formerly known as the Howlin’ Wolf Festival, this event features Eddie Cotton, Super Chikan and Kingfish Ingram on the Mary Holmes College campus, Highway 50 West, West Point. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Music begins at 6:15 p.m. Tickets $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Get them at the Columbus Arts Council (Columbus), Jack Forbus Insurance (Starkville) or the Growth Alliance (West Point). Or buy online at wpnet.org/index.php/attractions/howlin_wolf/blues_festival. Call 662-494-2573 for information.
Saturday, Sept. 5
Prairie Arts Festival — West Point’s 37th annual festival features several hundred fine arts, crafts and food vendors, multiple music stages, Kidsville and more, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in downtown West Point. Visit wpnet.org, call 662-494-2573 or follow on Facebook for more information.
Sunday through Sunday, Sept. 6-13
Tennessee Williams Tribute — The 14th annual Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes includes performances of Williams’ “Suddenly, Last Summer,” scholar talks, the Moon Lake Party with Broadway actor Joel Vig, a Stella Shouting Contest, 5K Streetcar Run, Saturday at the Movies, readings, luncheons and more. Visit muw.edu/tennesseewilliams, call 662-328-5413 or follow on Facebook for more information.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
Table Talk — Dr. Milly Barranger, recipient of the fourth Tennessee Williams Tribute Distinguished Scholar’s Medal, speaks on “Three Behind-the-Scenes Women in the Career of Tennessee Williams” at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. (iced tea served.) Or join friends from noon-1 p.m. for the program. Call 662-329-5300 for more information.
Get Swept Up, Starkville — Volunteer to spruce up Starkville before football fans hit town. Contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership at 662-323-3322 or fill out a volunteer form at chamber.starkville.org.
Thursday, Sept. 10
Moon Lake Party — The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents supper and a one-man production of “Truman Talks Tennessee” by Broadway actor Joel Vig at the Moon Lake Party, hosted and catered by Angie Atkins at Events On 5th, 115 Fifth St. S. in downtown Columbus. Advance tickets ($50) required. Get them at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Call 662-328-5413 for more information.
Mac McAnally in concert — Multi award-winner Mac McAnally performs at Mississippi State’s Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $40, $30 and $20. Call 662-325-2252 or order at music.msstate.edu/mcanally/register/.
Cowbell Yell — At a 9 p.m. pep rally at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium, join in trying to break the Guinness Book record for cowbells rung in unison.
Friday, Sept. 11
Stella Shouting Contest — This playful homage to Williams’ characters Stella and Stanley Kowalski from “A Streetcar Named Desire” is hosted by Hollyhocks’ owner Gloria Herriott at 204 Fifth St. S. in downtown Columbus. Free registration opens at 5:30 p.m. to shout “Stella” up to the balcony. Join the festive street atmosphere; contest starts at 6 p.m. Call 662-329-0025 for more information.
Bulldog Bash — The band Local Natives headlines the free Bulldog Bash in Starkville’s Cotton District. Special guests are X Ambassadors and Misterwives. MSU’s Battle of the Bands winner opens; music starts at 6 p.m. Check out msubulldogbash.com.
Saturday, Sept. 12
Streetcar 5K Run — This Tennessee Williams Tribute event begins at 8 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus. Register at racesonline.com.
Saturday at the Movies — The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents Dr. Stuart Noel with “The Art and Decay of Blanche Debois in ‘A Streetcar Named Desire'” at 9 a.m., followed by a free screening of the film starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh at Nissan Auditorium in MUW’s Parkinson Hall. A catered box lunch ($15, required in advance) is served at The Puckett House afterward. Get lunch tickets at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 662-328-2787.
Sunday, Sept. 13
“September 11” — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts a reception at 2 p.m. for this exhibit and gallery talk by David Malone at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free. Visit wpccac.org or call 662-494-5678 for more information.
Wednesday, Sept. 16
Table Talk — Mississippi University for Women’s Executive Director of University Relations Maridith Geuder leads a discussion on this year’s most highly-anticipated novel, Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman.” Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. (iced tea served). Or join friends noon to 1 p.m. for the program at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N.
Sept. 17-20, 22-26
“One Slight Hitch” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this farce by Lewis Black at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 ($10 students). The box office opens two weeks before the first performance. For more information, call 662-323-6855.
Friday, Sept. 18
Symphony concert — The Starkville-MSU Symphony, MUW Department of Music and Columbus Arts Council present String Symposium II at Whitfield Hall’s Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus at 7:30 p.m. Guest pianists are Dr. Julia Mortyakova and Dr. Valentin Bogdan. Free. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Citywide Tailgate — Starkville’s annual citywide tailgate at various businesses and the MSU campus benefits the United Way of North Central Mississippi. A $5 wristband gives access to all tailgate sites. For more information, 662-323-3830.
Wednesday, Sept. 23
Table Talk — Jamie Kornegay, owner of Greenwood’s Turnrow Book Co., discusses his first novel, “Soil,” a mystery-thriller set in the Mississippi Delta. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m.; iced tea served. Or join friends from noon to 1 p.m. for the free program at the Columbus-Lowndes Library at 314 Seventh St. N. Call the library, 662-329-5300, for more information.
Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 24-27
Possum Town Tales Storytelling Festival — The Columbus Arts Council presents internationally-known storytellers Kevin Kling of Minnesota and Andy Offutt Irwin of Georgia at this fourth annual storytelling festival in Columbus. Kling, well-known for his NPR commentaries on “All Things Considered,” and Irwin, humorist and musician, have each won numerous national awards. Visit columbus-arts.com for more information or call 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Children’s Art Festival — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts an Art in the Park Children’s Art Festival at McKee Park in Starkville from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free to attend.
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