Today
“St. Patty’s Pawty” — This benefit for the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society is 1-6 p.m. at Zachary’s, 205 Fifth St. N. Live music, green beer, pet parade, raffles and more. Food by Huck’s Place. Admission donation $10 (cash only). Raffle tickets $5. For more information, contact Colin Krieger, 662-329-7653.
Building Bridges concert — Columbus Mayor Robert Smith presents a gospel concert to benefit Columbus tornado victims at 4 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center, 4022 Seventh Ave. N. Musical guests include The Golden Wings Quartet, Teddy Cross, James Bolton, Paul Porter, Armondo Adams & Redemption, Alphonzo Bowen & Friends, and Rere & God’s Children. $10 donation at the door. For information, call 662-364-0433 or 662-574-3319.
Friday and Saturday, March 22-23
New Narrative Festival and Conference — Hear about topics ranging from global food security, the Mississippi Choctaws and unmanned aerial systems research to new social landscapes at this two-day event at The Mill Conference Center, 100 Mercantile Lane, in Starkville. Learn more and register at newnarrativefestival.msstate.edu, or contact John Forde, 662-325-8033.
Sunday, March 24
Rust College Choir — St. James United Methodist Church, 722 Military Road, Columbus, hosts this acclaimed a capella choir at 6:30 p.m. Admission donation is $10 adults; $5 youth 12-18 (children 11 and under attend free). For more information, contact Tavetia Hughes, 662-327-4538.
Tuesday, March 26
Meet the Author — Mississippi University for Women Fant Memorial Library hosts a Meet the Author Series talk by Jaime Harker of the University of Mississippi at 4:30 p.m. Harker discusses her book “The Lesbian South: Southern Feminists, the Women in Print Movement, and the Queen Literary Canon.” Free to the public.
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26-27
Emerging Voices Vol 2 — The W’s Department of Theatre and Department of Language, Literature and Philosophy present staged readings of original plays by W students, plus student-directed one-act plays, at 7 p.m. in Cromwell Theatre on campus. Free.
Wednesday, March 27
Noon Tunes — This spring series of lunchtime concerts at Trotter Convention Center’s Courtyard in downtown Columbus kicks off with music by Jase Dalrymple from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase. Other Noon Tunes dates are April 3, 10 and 24. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Thursday, March 28
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — Columbus’ 79th annual Pilgrimage kicks off with a community-wide party from 5-8 p.m. on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St. Live music, plus crawfish and shrimp plates by Huck’s available for purchase. For more information, contact Visit Columbus, 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Thursday through Saturday, March 28-30
Ragtime Jazz Festival, Gatsby Gala — The 13th annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival at Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library and other locations features multiple performing artists and silent films. The Gatsby Gala opens the festival with a 1920s-inspired fashion show and exhibits at the library March 28. Get information and tickets at festival.library.msstate.edu. or call 662-325-6634.
“Hee Haw” — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents a “Hee Haw” variety show at 7 p.m. March 28-29, and 5 p.m. March 30 at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., downtown West Point. Tickets are $12 (cash or check) at Petal Pushers, Growth Alliance and First United Methodist Church in West Point, or call Julie Gray, 662-295-0461. Limited seating.
Thursday through Sunday, March 28-31
MUW Homecoming — Mississippi University for Women’s homecoming features numerous activities including musical performances, art exhibitions and presentations and more. Find the schedule of events at longblueline.muw.edu.
Friday, March 29
Tales from the Crypt — Graveyard tours at Friendship Cemetery begin as part of the Columbus Pilgrimage, 7-10 p.m. March 29 and April 1, 3 and 5 (arrive no later than 9 p.m.). History and drama combine in these walking tours as MSMS students reenact noted personalities interred at the historic cemetery. Tickets are $5 adults; $3 students, sold only upon arrival.
Saturday, March 30
Pilgrimage 5K Run — The sixth annual Columbus Pilgrimage 5K begins at 7:15 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St., and winds through historic neighborhoods. For information and registration, go to racesonline.com.
Catfish in the Alley/Artisans Alley — This Pilgrimage event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. includes catfish available for purchase, multiple Artisans Alley vendors and live blues music on Catfish Alley (Fourth Street South) in downtown Columbus. For more information, go to VisitColumbusMS.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Tuesday, April 2
Buttahatchee Barn Quilt Trail Tea Cakes & Tea — From 4-6 p.m., enjoy quilts, homemade tea cakes and mint tea at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church in Steens. For more information, call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191. Part of the Columbus Pilgrimage.
Saturday, April 6
Pilgrimage Garden Party — Stroll through Temple Heights’ historic gardens in Columbus while enjoying mint juleps and cheese straws. Tickets to this 3-6 p.m. garden party are $15. Go to VisitColumbusMS.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191 for information.
International Fiesta — A festive day of cultural exchange from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at MSU’s Drill Field includes music, dance, foods, traditional clothing, inflatables and cultural displays. Free. For information, contact Kei Mamiya, 662-325-2033 or [email protected].
Taco Hop — At the The Partnership’s inaugural Taco Hop in downtown Starkville from noon-3 p.m., restaurants prepare specialty street tacos for $1 each. Purchase craft beer tasting tickets for $20, which includes unlimited tastings during the event. Live music. Get tickets at eventbrite.com, visit starkville.org or call 662-323-3322.
Oktibbeha Relay for Life — This American Cancer Society fundraiser from 4-11:30 p.m. at the Travis Outlaw Center, 405 Lynn Lane, Starkville, includes a survivor/caregiver walk, luminaria ceremony and opening and closing ceremonies. For more information, call 985-373-0765 or email [email protected].
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