Saturday
■ Music by Women Festival: The ninth annual international Music by Women Festival will be held on the Mississippi University for Women campus for three days of performances, presentations and lecture recitals relating to compositions written by women. Concerts are free and open to the public. For more information and the full schedule of events, visit muw.edu/musicbywomen/.
■ Downtown Spring Open House: Main Street Columbus will be hosting their downtown spring open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Businesses will be open with discounts and special offers. Shopping enters you in the chance to win a grand door prize worth hundreds of dollars. More info: columbusmainstreet.com
■ Smart Girls Summit: The Starkville Boys & Girls Club will be hosting its third annual smart girls summit from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 911 Lynn Lane. The summit will include keynote speakers United Way of the Golden Triangle Region Executive Director Renee Sanders and Ward 1 Alderwoman Kim Moreland. This is a celebration of empowerment and growth for girls ages 8-18. To register, go to signupforms.com/registrations/40732.
■ Women Who Make History: The Black Prairie Blues Museum is hosting a panel discussion honoring trailblazing women in Mississippi. The event will begin at 2 p.m. and will feature Mayor Lynn Spruill, Senator Angela Turner-Ford and civil rights activist Laverne Green Leech.
Wednesday, March 12
■ Honoring Mahalia Jackson: This dance tribute and discussion led by dancer and choreographer Kayla Marie Gilmore will be honoring the gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. The free event will start at 4 p.m. at Bryan Public Library in West Point.
Friday, March 14-Saturday, March 15
■ New Hope Festival: New Hope Strong will be hosting its second New Hope Festival at New Hope High School. Events will kick off Friday at 6 p.m. with a free concert featuring Kenny Gardner, Tonja Rose and David Timms. Starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, there will be a 5K race, followed by an arts and crafts fair, food, and a car show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Saturday, March 15
■ St. Patty’s Day Run & Walk: Leprechaun beer, live music and a costume contest. The half kilometer race registration fee of $40 benefits the Munson Community Charity Fund. 3-4 p.m. at 301 2nd Ave. N. More info: https://bit.ly/4io5AI1
■ New Hope Festival: This family friendly event includes a free concert, arts & crafts, a car show and more. New Hope High School, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. More info: New Hope Strong Facebook Group
Sunday, March 16
■ Zachary’s Pawdy: Help raise money for Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society at Zachary’s at 205 5th St. N. from 1-5 p.m. Kids are free and adults get entry for a $20 donation, which benefits the Humane Society.
Tuesday, March 18
■ Faculty Trombone Recital: Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music presents a performance by faculty trombonist, Dr. Douglas Mark. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall and is free and open to the public.
Thursday, March 20
■ Books and Authors: Friends of the Starkville Library will host a book talk with author Steve Robertson, who will share his memoir “When the Bottom Falls.” Refreshments will be served at 11:30 a.m., with the talk beginning at noon.
Sunday, March 23
■ Gloria: The Starkville Community Chorus and MSU Choirs will perform together in an arrangement of Rutter’s famous “Gloria.” Other performances will include Shostakovich’s Suite for Variety Orchestra and a performance by the MSU Solo Artist Competition Winner. The concert will begin at 2 p.m. at Bettersworth Auditorium on Mississippi State University’s campus. Please visit starkvillesymphony.org/ for more information and tickets.
Tuesday, March 25
■ Spring Recital: Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music will be hosting a student showcase at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. The event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, March 26
■ The Great DuBois: In the final installment of the Lyceum Series for the 2024-25 season, The Great DuBois will be performing at Bettersworth Auditorium at 7 p.m. This 2 person circus show is a fast-paced, high energy performance featuring juggling, hula hoops, a unicycle, aerial, circus stunts, contortion, magic and audience interaction. This award winning duo were featured recently in Hugh Jackman’s movie “The Greatest Showman.” Tickets are available online at msstate.universitytickets.com, or in person by visiting the Center for Student Activities in the Colvard Student Union.
Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30
■ The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Golden Triangle Theatre will be performing “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” at the Lyceum at Lee. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a matinee at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children.
Friday, March 28
■ UnTapped Downtown: Enjoy a night of craft beer tasting and special discounts with unTapped Downtown. From 5:30-8:30 p.m., participating businesses, including nearly 20 local shops in downtown Starkville, will be open and offering 20% off storewide. Tickets are on sale for $20 if purchased in advance and will be $25 if purchased the day of the event.
Saturday, March 29
■ NACUSA Concert: Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music and the Mid-South Chapter of NACUSA will host a concert featuring new compositions. The event, starting at 2 p.m. in Poindexter Hall, is free and open to the public.
Thursday, April 3-Sunday, April 6
■ Murder on the Orient Express: Starkville Community Theatre presents this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic detective novel in “Murder on the Orient Express.” Performances start at 7 p.m. Thursday through Friday, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance Sunday, at SCT’s Playhouse on Main.
Friday, April 4
■ Hayley Reardon: Hayley Reardon, a critically acclaimed folk-pop singer, songwriter and storyteller will be performing at the Columbus Arts Council at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $20 and can be purchased at columbusartscouncil.com/hayley-reardon.
Saturday, April 5
■ International Fiesta: The 33rd annual International Festival will be held at the Mississippi State University Drill Field from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a parade of 125 international flags to kick off the event, with a chance to watch entertainment and explore international food and culture to follow. Admission is free.
Tuesday, April 8-Saturday, April 12
■ Murder on the Orient Express: Starkville Community Theatre presents this adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic detective novel in “Murder on the Orient Express.” Performances start at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance Saturday, at SCT’s Playhouse on Main.
Tuesday, April 8
■ MUW Chamber Singers Spring Concert: The Mississippi University for Women Chamber Singers, conducted by Dr. William Reber, will perform their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
Friday, April 11-Saturday, April 12
■ Catfish in the Alley: Catfish in the Alley returns this year with a celebration of the city’s African American heritage. Friday’s festivities include a lunchtime event from noon to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Tennessee Williams House Museum where attendees can purchase $15 catfish plates while listening to local artists Keith Johnson and the Big Muddy Band. Saturday’s events take place in Catfish Alley, where food vendors, artisans and live music will fill the street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, April 11
■ Piano Students’ Recital: Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music will showcase students’ performances at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 12
■ DelFest: The Del Rendon Foundation will be hosting its annual art and music festival starting at 2 p.m. at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern in Starkville.
Tuesday, April 15
■ W Music Student Showcase: Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music will host an evening of performances from the university’s music majors. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. The showcase is free and open to the public.
Friday, April 18
■ Sports Hall of Fame: The inaugural class of the Lowndes County Sports Hall of Fame will be inducted during this banquet and ceremony, taking place from 6-9 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center in Columbus. Tickets are $30 per person and include dinner. Tickets and info: lowndescountysportshalloffame.com.
Saturday, April 19
■ Cotton District Arts Festival: The annual Cotton District Arts Festival will be filling the streets of Starkville with live music, local and regional artists and Taste of Starkville food vendors. The event, taking place in the historic Cotton District from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is free and open to the public. More info: cdafestival.com
Friday, April 25-Saturday, April 26
■ Opera Scenes: Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music presents a night of dramatic and musical performance. These engaging scenes will be selected from classic musicals and operas and fully staged with costumes and piano accompaniment. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. both nights in Poindexter Hall and are free and open to the public.
Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27
■ Plant Sale: The Lowndes County Master Gardeners are hosting their annual plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Lowndes County Agri Center Pavilion at 485 Tom Rose Road in Columbus. There will be an “After Sale” Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Plants for sale will include passalongs, butterfly plants, natives, heirlooms, herbs and much more. The sale supports scholarships, educational programs and community projects.
Monday, April 28
■ The W Wind Ensemble Spring Concert: The Mississippi University for Women’s Wind Ensemble will be performing their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, April 29
■ The W Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert: The Mississippi University for Women’s Jazz Ensemble will be performing their spring concert at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.
Saturday, May 3
■ Market Street Festival: The 29th annual Market Street Festival will be taking over the streets of downtown Columbus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 200 art and food vendors will be set up throughout the day along with live music, children’s activities and a car show.
■ Starkville Dachshund Derby: This year’s Dachshund Dash, designated the world’s largest weenie dog race, will take place in Starkville’s Cotton District. The event, lasting from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., will include live music, food vendors, an arts fest and a kids’ zone in addition to the race. The Starkville Derby benefits the Oktibbeha County Humane Society.
■ Home of the Brave: In this salute to military and civilian service, the Starkville Symphony Orchestra will be performing music of America. Selections will include The Star Spangled Banner and Stars and Stripes Forever as well as Brubaker’s Rocky Mountain Majesty and John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen. The performance will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Bettersworth Auditorium on the campus of Mississippi State University.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 30 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
