Monday, Aug. 18
Book signing — Dr. Selden Lambert of Columbus signs copies of her book, “The Yellow Ribbon Murders,” from noon-1 p.m. at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. The murder mystery is set in a small Mississippi town, not unlike Columbus. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Tuesday, Aug. 19
Book signing — Jane Hunt of Columbus signs copies of her book, “Farview: Then and Now,” from 2-4 p.m. at Whitehall, the antebellum home of Dr. Joe and Carol Boggess at 607 Third Ave. S., Columbus. The public is invited.
Wednesday, Aug. 20
Book signing — Caldecott nominee and genealogist Sharon Leslie-Morgan brings an audiovisual presentation on her book, “Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade,” to a book signing from 4:30-6 p.m. at the Main Street Macon Center, 401 Jefferson St., Macon. The public is invited.
Merle Haggard — The Mississippi State Lyceum Series presents country music icon Merle Haggard at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium. Tickets are $45-$80. Contact the Center for Student Activities, 662-325-2930 or visit lyceum.msstate.edu.
Thursday, Aug. 21
Exhibit reception — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts a reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for “Abstract,” an exhibit of work by 11 artists at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 E. Main St., Starkville. The public is invited.
Friday, Aug. 22
Japanese movie night — The Japanese Outreach Program at Mississippi State invites the public to a screening of the subtitled comedy film “Robo-G” at Bost Extension Center from 6-8 p.m. (Films will also be shown Sept.12 and 26, 5-7 p.m.). The event is presented in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville and The Japan Foundation. For more information, contact Juyoung Lee, 662-325-7696.
Saturday, Aug. 23
Denim & Diamonds — This benefit for the Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum includes a barbecue dinner, square dancing, silent auction, raffle, complimentary wine and beer and a DJ. Tickets to the 6:30 p.m. event at the Starkville Country Club are $40 at the museum, The Book Mart or ERA Realty in Starkville. Or call 662-323-0211.
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Starkville’s Get Swept Up — Sign up to volunteer for the 11th annual Get Swept Up event, a city-wide clean-up day in Starkville. Volunteers get a T-shirt and are provided cleaning supplies. Contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322, or go to chamber.starkville.org.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Artist’s Talk — Musician and visual artist Chad Anderson gives an artist’s talk at 5:30 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Anderson’s drawings, “Twelve Bar Bridge: Rhythm in Portrait,” are on display in the arts center’s Artist Alley. Free. Call 662-328-2787 for more information.
Friday, Aug. 29
Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival — This 19th annual blues fest features George Porter Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Carolyn Wonderland, Lightnin’ Malcolm & Stud, and Mr. Sip at the Mary Holmes College Auditorium in West Point. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music at 7 p.m. $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Get tickets at the Columbus Arts Council, in Starkville at Jack Forbus Insurance, and in West Point at Culin-Arts. Or online at wpnet.org. For information, contact Richard Ramsey, 662-605-0770 or [email protected]. The festival is presented by the Prairie Belt Blues Foundation.
Starkville Block Party — Starkville’s Downtown Block Party to kick off the football season is 6-8 p.m. at College Park on Russell Street and features an MSU pep rally, annual Tailgating Wear Fashion Show, live music, food vendors and kids village. Go to starkville.org.
Saturday, Aug. 30
Prairie Arts Festival — The 36th annual Prairie Arts Festival in downtown West Point features fine arts, crafts, Southern cooking, four music stages, classic cars, Kidsville and more from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A 5K race begins at 8 a.m. This Top 10 Southeast Tourism Society event includes more than 600 exhibits. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Book signing — Mississippi State alumna Jamie James signs copies of her children’s book, “Game Days in the Fall,” at The Book Mart, 120 E. Main St., Starkville, from 1-3 p.m. For more information, call 662-323-2844.
Thursday, Sept. 4
Columbus Art Walk — Columbus’ second annual Art Walk from 5:30-8 p.m. features area artists paired with downtown merchants for an evening of original art, live music and evening shopping. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
“Ozland” premiere — This feature-length film by West Point independent filmmaker Michael Williams of Shendopen Productions premieres locally in a test screening at the Malco Theatre in Columbus at 7 p.m. “Ozland” was filmed in the Golden Triangle and in Kansas. Tickets are $10. Visit ozlandthefilm.com.
Monday through Sunday, Sept 8-14
Tennessee Williams Tribute & Tour of Victorian Homes — The 13th annual Tribute includes a production of Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie,” a Moon Lake Party featuring Broadway actor Joel Vig, scholars’ talks, Stella Shouting Contest, city and home tours, movie screening, 5K run, luncheons and a special Sunday sermon. Several events are free. Get tickets for ticketed events at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus (662-328-2787). All-event packages are discounted until Aug. 30. For information, visit muw.edu/tennesseewilliams, call 800-327-2686 or 662-328-0222, or email [email protected].
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