Today
Exhibit opening — The West Point-Clay County Arts Council hosts a 2 p.m. opening at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point, featuring pine straw baskets, matchstick art, portrait crochet and quilts by artists Bessie Johnson, Castella Huggins and Sylvia Hayes. Free. For more information, contact Kathy Dyess, 662-494-5678.
Monday, Jan. 11
“Social Security” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this preview of its Mississippi Theatre Association competition production of “Social Security” by Andrew Bergman. The hour-long presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. at McComas Hall on the Mississippi State campus, and includes set-up and strike of the set, as required by MTA rules. Free, but donations are welcomed. For more information, call 662-323-6855.
Tuesday, Jan. 12
“Kakizome” Japanese calligraphy — In Japan, New Year’s Day is one of the biggest national holidays. Join in celebrating “Kakizome,” the first Japanese calligraphy of the New Year at this Columbus Arts Council event at 6:30 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. $20. Participants will write with Japanesse ink paint brushes and learn a bit of Japanese. 662-328-2787, or go to columbus-arts.org.
Wednesday, Jan. 13
Sports Talk charity fundraiser — Mississippi State’s men’s basketball head coach Ben Howland is the featured speaker at this Boys & Girls Club fundraiser at The Mill in Starkville. A silent auction opens at 6 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 (or $50 per couple; $15 for youth). For tickets or information, contact Nadia D. Colom, 662-418-7285.
Thursday, Jan. 14
“What Happened to the Freedom Riders?” — Dr. Leslie Burl-McLemore presents this free lecture at 6:30 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Lowndes MSU Alumni chapter — All are welcome as the Lowndes County Chapter of the MSU Alumni Association holds an organizational and business meeting at Huck’s Place, 121 Fifth St. S., Columbus at 6 p.m. Dutch treat. RSVP to Janet Downey at 662-325-8515 or [email protected].
Saturday, Jan. 16
“To Kill a Mockingbird” — The Columbus Arts Council presents a free showing of the film “To Kill a Mockingbird” at 2 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater, 501 Main St. Author Deborah Johnson will contribute commentary. Free and open to the public; sponsored by Dr. Jo Shumake and The Mississippi Humanities Council. For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Monday, Jan. 18
Unity Breakfast — The 22nd Annual MLK Jr. Unity Breakfast begins at 8 a.m. at The Mill Conference Center in Starkville; program follows at 9 a.m. Free and open to the public. Keynote speaker is Neddie Winters, president of Mission Mississippi. For more information, contact Alicia Hu, 662-325-2493.
MLK Community Volunteer Fair — A Community Volunteer Fair from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. takes place at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane. Meet and greet with area nonprofits and learn about volunteer opportunities. For information about this or to volunteer for the MLK Day of Service, contact Volunteer Starkville’s Jamey Bachman, 662-268-2865.
March and rally — The Oktibbeha County NAACP hosts a march and rally at 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of MLK Drive and Douglas Conner Drive. For more information, call 662-323-1835.
Thursday, Jan. 21
Exhibit reception — A reception at 5 p.m. celebrates the opening of the exhibit “LUSO-American Surrealism of the 21st Century” at the Cullis Wade Depot at Mississippipi State University. The show features work by Starkville’s Joe MacGown and many other noted surrealists including Shahla Rosa of California. Rosa gives a gallery talk at noon Jan. 22.
Sunday, Jan. 31
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents The MSU Singers at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free and open to the public. Call 662-494-5678 for more information.
Sunday, Feb. 7
African Children’s Choir — The African Children’s Choir will perform at First United Methodist Church, 602 Main St., Columbus, at 8:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. The public is invited. Free. For more information, contact FUMC, 662-328-5252.
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