Wednesday, Feb. 4
FOL annual event — The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library holds its annual meeting and membership appreciation luncheon at 11:30 a.m. in the library’s second-floor meeting room, 314 Seventh St. N. All are invited to join and support the library. For information, call 662-329-5300.
Thursday, Feb. 5
“Matter of Thought” — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., hosts “In the Matter of Thought: State Law and Interracial Marriages in Loving v. Virginia” with Dr. Stephen Middleton at 5:30 p.m. at the library. For information, call 662-329-5304.
Thursdays, Feb. 5 and 19
Gordy Series civil rights programs — The MUW Gordy Honors College Forum Series presents a two-part examination of the civil rights movement in Mississippi with a screening of the documentary “Spies of Mississippi” Feb. 5. Dawn Porter, the film’s producer/director, speaks Feb. 19. Programs are at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium on campus. For information, contact Dr. Thomas Velek, 662-241-6850, or visit muw.edu/honors/forum.
Friday, Feb. 6
Guest artist recital — Dr. Ellen Elder, assistant professor of piano at the University of Southern Mississippi, presents a piano program at 7:30 p.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Poindexter Hall. Free to the public. Elder presents a free master class Feb. 7 at 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 10
Book signing — Author Jonathan Odell signs copies of his new book “Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League” from 5:15-6 p.m. at The Book Mart, 120 E. Main St., Starkville. Free to the public. A meet-and-greet and author talk follows at The Homestead Education Center, 401 Lake Valley Road (limited tickets available at thehomesteadcenter.com).
Wednesday, Feb. 11
Table Talk — Frye Gaillard, writer-in-residence at the University of South Alabama, discusses “The Books that Mattered: A Reader’s Memoir” and “Journey to the Wilderness: War, Memory and a Southern Family’s Civil War Letters” at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. (ice tea provided by Friends of the Library). Or come for the program from noon-1 p.m. For more information, 662-329-5300.
Thursday, Feb. 12
Civil rights program — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., hosts “The Role of Convict Labor in the Industrial Development of Birmingham, Alabama” with Karen Utz at noon. Free. For information, call 662-329-5404.
Thursday and Saturday,
Feb. 12 and 14
Friends’ book sale — The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library host a book sale Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Feb. 14, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the library, 314 Seventh St. N. For more information, call 662-329-5300.
Friday, Feb. 13
Big Band night — Gill Harris and the all-pro Big Band Theory with vocalist Denise Reid present live music and dancing at Trotter Convention Center in Columbus at 8 p.m. Table seats are $30 in advance at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., 662-328-2787. ($35 at door). Reserved tables for 10 are $240. Pre-concert dinner at The Southern ($19 advance; $27 at door) is available in seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. For dinner reservations, call 662-364-3021.
Saturday, Feb. 14
Lee Home Valentine Party — The Stephen D. Lee Foundation hosts the fifth annual Valentine’s Day Party at Primrose, the latest historical home restoration by Dr. John and Elizabeth Fields. For more information about the 7:30 p.m. event, contact Eulalie Davis, 662-328-3088. The fundraiser showcasing desserts and floral design is in support of the Stephen D. Lee Home and Museum.
A Magnolia Affair — The Starkville-MSU Symphony Association’s fundraiser at the Hunter Henry Center from 6-10:30 p.m. includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine, silent auction and music by David Reese, the MSU String Quartet and State Messengers. Raffle drawings for a grand piano and quilt will be held. Tickets are $65. For information, call 662-323-8075 or visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
Civil rights program — The R.E. Hunt Museum and Cultural Center, 924 20th St. N., is the site for “The Mississippi Civil Rights Movement in Contemporary Times” talk by author Flonzie Brown Wright at 5:30 p.m. Free. For information, contact the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 662-329-5304.
Wednesday, Feb. 18
Table Talk — As part of the two-month Big Read programming in Columbus, Mississippi University for Women faculty members led by Dr. Kim Whitehead discuss Thornton Wilder’s “The Bridge of San Luis Rey.” Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. (iced tea provided) or join friends from noon-1 p.m. for the free program at the library, 314 Seventh St. N. For information, call 662-329-5300.
Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 19-21
Magnolia Film Festival — This independent film festival screens selected entries for three days at Hollywood Premier Cinemas in Starkville. Event includes a filmmakers’ workshop and awards. Watch for film schedule to be posted at starkvillearts.net, follow The Mag on facebook or call 662-324-3080 for more information.
Feb. 19-22 and 24-28
“Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this comedic musical at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville, at 7:30 p.m. nightly (except Sunday at 2 p.m.). Tickets are $15 ($10 students). For tickets, contact the box office, 662-323-6855.
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Table Talk — Author Joe Lee, editor-in-chief of Mississippi’s Dogwood Press, introduces his latest suspense thriller “Director’s Cut” at Table Talk at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to socialize (iced tea provided) or join friends for the program from noon-1 p.m.
Book launch — A launch for Michael Kardos’ novel “Before He Finds Her” begins at 7:30 p.m. at McCool Hall Rogers Auditorium, Room 100, on the Mississippi State campus. The MSU faculty member reads from the new mystery thriller.
Friday and Saturday,
Feb. 27-28
Farm Toy Show — This event for farm toy enthusiasts and the public is 5-9 p.m. at the Mississippi Horse Park (upper level) in Starkville Feb. 27, and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 28. Free to attend. For information, call 662-769-3107 or 662-418-9101.
Saturday, Feb. 28
“Much Mozart” — The MSU/Starkville Symphony Association orchestra and a mass choir of more than 250 (including MSU and MUW choirs and symphony chorus) present two of Mozart’s greatest and last works, Symphony No. 41 (“The Jupiter”) and “Requiem.” The free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall on the Mississippi State campus.
Palmer Home Soiree — This Palmer Home for Children benefit begins at 6:30 p.m. at The Stables, 804 Woodside Drive, Starkville, and includes food, live music and silent auction. Tickets are $40. For information, call 662-328-5704 or visit palmerhome.org.
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