Today
Possum Town Tales — The Golden Triangle’s first storytelling festival concludes with a lunch-and-story event from 1-3 p.m., with storyteller and actress Dolores Hydock of Birmingham, Ala., at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in Columbus. Tickets required ($20). Call the Columbus Arts Council for availability first, 662-328-2787.
Columbus Choral Society — The Columbus Choral Society’s fall concert, “For Love of God and Country,” begins at 3 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. Alisa Toy and Rachel Delk direct. Free to the public. For more information, contact Amy King, 662-328-2836.
Sunday at the Bluff — Natchez Trace lecturer Pat Arinder presents “Hunting Wildlife with a Camera” at the Plymouth Bluff Center, 2200 Old West Point Road, at 2 p.m. Learn about techniques and equipment to capture images of wildlife. Free to public. For more information, contact the Center, 662- 241-6214.
Theatre MSU — Theatre MSU presents “The Amazing Adventures of the Marvelous Monkey King,” a children’s show, at 2 p.m. in McComas Hall on the Mississippi State campus. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Tuesday Tunes — Take a musical mid-day break with tunes by Lee Ann Merritt at the grand piano in the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s is available for purchase. Lunch reservations by Nov. 19 are appreciated. Contact the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Monday, Nov. 26
Starkville Christmas Parade — “The Polar Express” is the theme of this year’s 6 p.m. Starkville parade, complete with the MSU Maroon Band and floats from businesses and organizations. For more information, contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322.
Exhibit reception — Main Street Macon hosts a 4-6 p.m. reception opening an exhibit of paintings by Lisa Spinks at the Macon Welcome Center, in conjunction with the annual Holiday Open House. For more information, contact MSM, 662-574-5680.
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 28-29
Holiday Bazaar — More than 90 vendor booths with hand-crafted items are featured in Starkville’s 40th annual Holiday Bazaar at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322, or email [email protected].
Friday, Nov. 30
“Carols for Christmas” — This Columbus Arts Council holiday program at 7 p.m. features virtuoso Stephanie Jackson on guitar and harp guitar, with cellist Courtney Blackwell and vocalist Stephanie Stubbs, in Carrier Chapel on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Dec. 1
Snacks with Santa — Families can visit with Santa and Miz Claus at the downtown Columbus Y, 602 Second Ave. N., from 10 a.m.-noon. For $5 each, children 12 and younger can enjoy activities such as Letters to Santa, crafts and games. For information, contact the Y, 662-328-7696.
“Christmas for Columbus” — A host of singers and orchestra come together for the inaugural Christmas for Columbus concert at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. FUMC choirs, Mississippi University for Women choirs and ensembles from First Baptist Church are among those participating. The festive program directed by Doug Browning benefits four selected charities for 2012: Father’s Child Ministry, Good Samaritan Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and Helping Hands. Your donation is your admission. For more information, contact FUMC, 662-328-5252.
SAAC Gala — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts its annual gala featuring gourmet foods, wines, silent auction and entertainment. For more information, contact the SAAC, 662-324-3080, or visit starkvillearts.org.
Sunday, Dec. 2
Author’s visit — A book signing with Jill Pascoe for her new book, “Mississippi’s Haunted Mansions,” will be from 3-6 p.m. at the Lincoln Home, 714 Third Ave. S. Several of Columbus’ historic homes are featured in the book. Refreshments will be served; tour the Lincoln Home and Amzi Love gardens. For more information, contact Brenda Caradine, 662-328-5413.
Monday, Dec. 3
Columbus Christmas Parade — This holiday hallmark through downtown Columbus begins at 7 p.m. and incorporates the theme “Going Green: Recycle, Reuse, Renew.” For parade applications, go to columbusmainstreet.com or contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
West Point Christmas Parade — West Point’s parade begins at 6:30 p.m., with the theme “A Christmas Story.” Applications to participate are due by Nov. 28. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Swamp Cabbage — The Columbus Arts Council welcomes Walter Parks, Richie Havens’ longtime lead guitarist, back to Columbus, this time with his Swamp Cabbage bandmates and their “swamp boogie blues.” Show time is 7 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater, 501 Main St. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Criss Christmas concert — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Orchestra Association presents this free Christmas concert at Starkville’s First Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Michael Brown conducts. For more information, visit starkvillemsusymphony.org.
Thursday, Dec. 6
Festival of Trees Open House — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., hosts an open house from 4-6 p.m. for its Victorian Christmas Festival of Trees. For more information, contact the library at 662-329-5300.
Friday, Dec. 7
Wassail Fest — Catch the holiday spirit at the ninth annual Wassail Fest in downtown Columbus from 5-9 p.m. Numerous businesses will vie for the title of Wassailmeister. Enjoy musical entertainment, special store presentations and the lighting of the city Christmas tree at 6 p.m., next to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Rufus Ward book signing — Historian and author Rufus Ward will attend a book signing for his just-released book, “Columbus Chronicles,” during Wassail Fest, 5-9 p.m., at The Commercial Dispatch, 516 Main St., Columbus.
Friday and Sunday,
Dec. 7 and 9
“Home for Christmas” — First Baptist Church in Columbus presents “Home for Christmas: A Story of Lost and Found” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7, and at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 9. This musical drama, written by Bobby Sanderson, features adult and youth choirs, as well as instrumental teams. Free to the public. For more information, contact the church, 662-328-3915.
Sunday, Dec. 9
Christmas Tour of Homes — Six homes at Old Waverly Golf Club in West Point are open for tours from 2-5 p.m., with refreshments at the Old Waverly Clubhouse from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance; $35 on Dec. 9. Get advance tickets at the Growth Alliance, 510 E. Broad St., West Point, or at the Old Waverly Clubhouse and Fore Seasons Shop, Culin-Arts, Petal Pushers and Bits ‘n Pieces in downtown West Point. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 11
Columbus Sings “Messiah” — Singers and orchestra from Columbus and surrounding communities present this treasured Christmas tradition at Annunciation Catholic Church in Columbus, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The program is free to the public, but tickets to ensure seating will be available in Columbus at First United Methodist Church, Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and Party & Paper. For those wishing to sing in the production, rehearsal is Monday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. at Annunciation. For information, contact First United Methodist Church, 662-328-5252.
Friday, Dec. 14
Girlchoir concert — The Columbus Girlchoir Christmas Concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. The program is free to the public. For more information, contact director Dr. Cherry Dunn, [email protected].
Saturday, Dec. 15
Mistletales — The Columbus Arts Council’s Mistletales from 9 a.m.-noon at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., includes storytelling, crafts and entertainment for ages 6-12, while parents go shopping. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Country Store Bake Sale — This annual event benefiting the Stephen D. Lee Foundation is from 10 a.m.-noon at the S.D. Lee Home, 316 Seventh St. N., Columbus. Just in time for Thanksgiving, get homemade cakes, pies, cookies, candies, cheesestraws, breads, jellies and more from the Association for the Preservation of Antiquities in Columbus. Shoppers can stop by the Lee Home after 8 a.m. Tuesday to pick up a number for a place in the line that forms before doors open at 10 a.m. A limited number of personal shoppers are available. For more information, contact Lillian Wade at 662-328-8012, or Rita Douglass, 662-327-3193.
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