Tuesday, Jan. 13
Storyteller — Professional storyteller and educator Barbara Jones Clark presents “Savoring African-American History Through Stories and Poetry” at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center at 7 p.m. The free program is sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Speakers Bureau. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Thursday, Jan. 15
Music of Spain and Latin America — The Columbus Arts Council presents Spanish- and Latin-inspired guitar with international artist David Burgess, a past winner of the Andres Segovia Fellowship. Tickets to the 7 p.m. concert in the Rosenzweig Arts Council Omnova Theater are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For tickets or information, call 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Jan. 17
Big Read Kickoff — Columbus’ first community-wide Big Read kicks off from 2-4 p.m. with a carnival atmosphere at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. The launch begins two months of events focusing on the novel “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” by Thornton Wilder. Enjoy Peruvian-inspired refreshments and free books, as long as they last. Big Read partners are the Columbus Arts Council, Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, MUW Department of Languages, Literature and Philosophy, and Friends of the Library. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Monday, Jan. 19
MLK Jr. Day Unity Breakfast — Mississippi State University hosts a free Unity Breakfast from 7-9 a.m. in Colvard Student Union on campus. For more information, contact the MSU Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, 662-325-2493.
MLK Day of Service — United Way’s Volunteer Columbus mobilizes residents to assist in community service projects. To volunteer to help at the Palmer Home Thrift Store Jan. 19, pre-register by 5 p.m. Jan. 15 at volunteercolumbus-ms.org or call 662-328-0943. Must be at least 18.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
Freedom Riders and Civil Rights in Mississippi — At 5 p.m. the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library presents Dr. Robert Luckett of Jackson State University discussing events surrounding the Freedom Riders, with clips from the film “Freedom Riders.” Freedom Rider sympathizer Hezekiah Watkins is a special guest. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Thursday, Jan. 22
“On the Ancient Inca Road” — In conjunction with The Big Read, the Columbus Arts Council screens this PBS “Conquistadors” segment at 6:30 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. For information, call 662-328-2787.
Friday, Jan. 23
Musical program — Guest artists Susan Williams, soprano, and Kevin Chance, pianist, present a program at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Free to the public. (Williams and Chance offer a free master class Jan. 24 at 10 a.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 24
“Our Bridge” writing project — As part of The Big Read, a community writing project around Columbus’ recently refurbished Old 82 bridge begins with a bridge walk and discussion at the Riverwalk at 1 p.m. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
SOUPer Bowl — Area chefs create soups for this tasting event at the STAGgerIN Sports Bar and Grill in Starkville from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership or $20 at the door. (Bring a can of soup for the St. Joseph Catholic Church food pantry and get $5 off door ticket price.) For information, contact the GSDP, 662-323-3322.
Monday, Jan. 26
Book groups — Book groups begin meeting weekly to discuss The Big Read’s “The Bridge of San Luis Rey” at noon at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. For information, call 662-329-5300.
The Legacy of Wilsonianism — Part of the World War I Symposium at Mississippi University for Women, this talk by Dr. Brian Anderson is at 5:30 p.m. in MUW’s Painter Hall, Room 113.
Tuesday, Jan. 27
Big Read keynote speaker — Mississippi University for Women presents Thornton Wilder scholar Edyta Oczkowicz of North Carolina’s Salem College at 7 p.m., sharing insight into the acclaimed author’s life. Location TBA. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Black Violin — The MSU Lyceum Series presents this viola and violin duo that fuse classical and hip-hop, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on the university campus. Tickets are $25 (seniors, MSU faculty/staff $20; children 3-12 $12). For tickets or information, call 662-325-2930 or visit [email protected].
Jack White in concert — Rocker and record producer Jack White performs at Mississippi State University’s Humphrey Coliseum at 8 p.m. Get tickets at msuconcerts.com or call 662-325-2930.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
Mitt Romney at MSU — Former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney is the featured speaker at Mississippi State University’s Global Lecture Series at 6 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus. Admission is free, but attendees must have tickets, available at the Colvard Student Union Center for Student Activities, Suite 314, beginning Jan. 15 for the general public (Jan. 12 for students). For information, call 662-325-2930.
Thursday, Jan. 29
Black Mississippians in the Civil War — Dr. Max Grivno of the University of Southern Mississippi examines experiences of black Mississippians in the Civil War at 5 p.m. at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. For information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Friday, Jan. 30
Music program — Dr. Valentin Bogdan presents a piano program at 7:30 p.m. at Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. Free to the public.
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