Tuesday, Aug. 27
Ellis Island documentary — The Columbus Arts Council presents a free screening of the PBS documentary “Forgotten Ellis Island,” at 5:30 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus. This is the first film about the hospital on Ellis Island that once boasted 22 medical buildings and treated thousands of immigrants. The documentary ties into the CAC’s theme for the 2013-14 season, “Coming to America.” For information, call 662-328-2787.
Bulldog pep rally — Ready for some football? A public pep rally for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, presented by Columbus Orthopaedic Clinic, begins at 5:45 p.m. at Leadership Plaza (corner of Fifth Street South and College Street) in downtown Columbus. Turn out to see MSU and high school cheerleaders, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Scott Weatherbee, Rockey Felker, mascot “Bully,” and live bulldog mascot “Champ.” Proceeds benefit the MSU Cheerleaders Travel Fund and Lowndes County MSU Alumni Association. For more information, contact Bill Gavin, 662-574-0295, or Harvey Myrick, 662-251-6850.
Friday, Aug. 30
Howlin’ Wolf Festival — Mark “Muleman” Massey Blues Band with Bill Earheart (6:45 p.m.), Ben Prestage (8 p.m.), Bryan Lee and the Blues Power Band (9:15 p.m.), and Homemade Jamz (10:30 p.m.) highlight the 18th annual Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival at Mary Holmes College Auditorium in West Point. Doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center in Columbus, Jack Forbus Insurance in Starkville, Culin Arts in West Point or online at wpnet.org/Howlin_Festival.htm. For more information, contact Richard Ramsey at 662-605-0770 or [email protected].
Saturday, Aug. 31
Prairie Arts Festival — West Point’s 35th annual festival showcases fine arts, crafts, down-home Southern cooking, live music, Kids Town and much more from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Growth Alliance at 662-494-5121, email [email protected] or check out Prairie Arts Festival on Facebook.
Sept. 3, 4, 6, 7
“Period of Adjustment” — The Tennessee Williams Tribute presents this Tennessee Williams “serious comedy” at 7:30 p.m. in Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Paula Mabry directs the cast of area actors. Tickets are $15 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., or at the door ($10 seniors and military; MUW students and faculty with ID attend free). The Tribute is Sept. 2-8; for the complete schedule of events, visit muw.edu/tennesseewilliams or call 662-328-0222 or 800-327-2686.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
Table Talk — University of Mississippi Professor Emeritus Dr. Colby Kullman, recipient of the second Tennessee Williams Distinguished Scholars Medal, discusses Williams’ cautionary tale “Small Craft Warnings” at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m.; iced tea is provided. Or join friends from noon-1 p.m. for the free program. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300, or email [email protected]. Table Talk is presented each Wednesday in September.
Get Swept Up in Starkville — Join the Greater Starkville Development Partnership in this annual beautification event to spruce up for Mississippi State football guests. For information on how you can help, contact the GSDP, 662-323-3322.
Thursday, Sept. 5
“Kiss Me, I’m Italian … ”
The Columbus Arts Council presents a free noon seminar titled “Kiss Me, I’m Italian — and Irish, Chinese, African, French: Ethnic Heritage in Mississippi,” by Dr. Barbara Carpenter. Enjoy a lunch “of international flavor” for $10, paid in advance.” For more information on this event sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Columbus Art Walk — Main Street Columbus, the Columbus Arts Council and participating businesses invite you to enjoy shopping after-hours, area artists and live music on the sidewalks of downtown Columbus during an Art Walk from 5-7 p.m. For more information, contact MSC, 662-328-6305.
“Autumn Song” — This Tennessee Williams Tribute Moon Lake Party event features vocalists and musicians with the Provincetown, Mass. Players in a song cycle of Tennessee Williams’ and Rainer Maria Rilke’s poetry set to music. The 7:30 p.m. program is at Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Tickets are $25 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Students and MUW faculty with ID attend free, but a ticket is required. For ticket information, call 662-328-2787.
Friday, Sept. 6
“Stella” Shouting Contest — In a playful homage to Tennessee Williams’ characters Stella and Stanley from “A Streetcar Named Desire,” would-be Stanleys are invited to shout “Stella” from Fifth Street South in Columbus, beneath the balcony of contest host Hollyhocks Gift Shop. Register (free) at 5:30 p.m.; shouting begins at 6 p.m., for the “Stella” trophy and prizes. For more information, contact Gloria Herriott, 662-329-0025.
Saturday, Sept. 7
Streetcar Run — The third annual Tennessee Williams Tribute-inspired 5K run begins at 8 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus. Register at runcyclegtr.org.
Little Hands, Big Trucks — United Way of Lowndes County presents this kid-friendly fundraiser from 9 a.m.-noon at the Columbus Soccer Complex. Wristbands ($4) allow a close-up view of tractors, construction equipment and industrial vehicles. For more information, contact Scott Ferguson at [email protected].
Saturday at the Movies — At this free Tennessee Williams Tribute event from 9 a.m. to noon at Nissan Auditorium on the MUW campus, scholar Dr. Stuart Noel presents his paper on the film “Suddenly Last Summer,” based on Williams’ play. A showing of the movie starring Elizabeth Taylor, Montgomery Clift and Katherine Hepburn follows. A catered box lunch is available; lunch ticket required in advance. Call 662-328-2787.
Sunday, Sept. 8
TWT sermon — You’re invited to a 10:30 a.m. sermon by the Rev. Anne Harris at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 318 College St., on the topic of the Tennessee Williams Tribute play “Period of Adjustment.” (Williams’ grandfather, the Rev. Walter Dakin, was priest at St. Paul’s from 1913-1915.) A continental breakfast will be served all morning by the TWT Committee in the church atrium.
Tour of Victorian Homes — A tour from 2-5 p.m. features the Tennessee Williams Home at 300 Main St. in Columbus; the 1878 home of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Farris Smith; the 1890 Painted Lady home of Jennifer and Katie Rose Miller; and the Moon Lake Bed & Breakfast, where actors will greet visitors to the “Streetcar,” “Baby Doll” and “Tin Roof” suites inspired by Williams’ plays. Tickets are $20 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. For a full Tribute schedule, go to muw.edu/tennesseewilliams.
Tuesday, Sept. 10
“Rivers” book launch —
The public is invited to a book launch of Michael Farris Smith’s novel “Rivers” from 5-7 p.m. in the W Room of the Hogarth Student Center on the Mississippi University for Women campus. The event celebrating the MUW associate professor of English’s release is presented by MUW, Catfish Alley magazine, Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Library and the Columbus Arts Council. Light refreshments will be served. Barnes & Noble will have books available for purchase and signing.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Musica con Sabor Latino — The Columbus Arts Council presents Salsa de Rumba (Bob Damm, Chad Anderson, Drew Dieckmann, David Reese, Adib Sabir, Doug Thomas) and MC Armando de la Cruz in an evening of music with a Latin flavor at the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater, 501 Main St. , at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Tuesday through Saturday, Sept. 24-28
Possum Town Storytelling Festival — Internationally recognized professional storytellers Len Cabral, Carmen Agra Deedy and Kariko Yamamoto weave words into magic at the second annual Possum Town Storytelling Festival presented by the Columbus Arts Council. Programs for all ages will be presented at various locations in Columbus. Stay tuned for details. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787 or visit columbus-arts.org.
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