Friday, Aug. 11
“The Help” — In conjunction with the Mississippi Writers’ Series, the Columbus Arts Council presents a free screening of “The Help” (PG-13) at 7 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater. Filmed in Greenwood, Clarksdale and Jackson, the 2011 movie is based on the book by Jackson native Kathryn Stockett. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Operation Christmas Child — The public is invited to a meet and greet with the new Operation Christmas Child regional manager from Atlanta from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Beans & Cream, 60 Brickerton St., Columbus. Get new guidelines for packing OCC boxes. For information, email Nelda Brown at [email protected].
Friday Night Jams — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts this evening of live music at 7 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free to the public.
Saturday, Aug. 12
Sizzling Second Saturday — It’s a Back to School Bash at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market at Second Avenue and Second Street South, Columbus. Pony rides, Project CHEW watermelon smoothies, Mother Goose, music by Melvin Mordecai and more. The market is open Mondays 4-6 p.m., Thursdays and Saturdays 7-10 a.m.
Puppy Foam Party — Pups can come dirty and leave clean at this Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society fundraiser from 1-3 p.m. at the Animal Clinic of Columbus, 3157 Highway 45 N., Columbus. B.Y.O.T.-Bring Your Own Towel.
Sunday, Aug. 13
Exhibit opening — A 2 p.m. reception opens an exhibit by Ronnie Robinson and Matt Warren at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point.
Tuesday, Aug. 15
Eagles Tribute — Area musicians Dale Robertson, Jerry Carnathan, Bob Damm, Ronnie McGee, Brent Varner, Bill Cooke, Raymond Miller and Raymond Brooks present a free Hotel California Tribute at 6:30 p.m. at the MSU Amphitheater on campus. Rain location: Lee Hall. Sponsored by the MSU Lyceum Series and Music Maker Productions, part of MSU Dawg Days.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Writers’ Series with Katy Simpson Smith — The Columbus Arts Council’s and grant partners’ Mississippi Writers’ Series presents author Katy Simpson Smith (“The Story of Land and Sea,” “Free Men”) at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Free to the public.
Friday through Sunday, Aug. 18-20
Sturgis Motorcycle Rally — This rally features vendors, contests, bike games and entertainment by Little Texas, Southern Halo and Miles Flatt. Register at msrally.com/registration-99. For more information, email [email protected]. For sponsorship info, contact Village Cycle Center, 662-323-1555.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Possum Town Triathlon — Get in training to swim 600 yards, bike 17 miles and run 3.3 miles in the sixth annual Possum Town Triathlon at Columbus Lake. Register at possumtowntriathlon.com/registration.
Golden Triangle Comic Con — Comic Con is back, with celebrity guests, geek and gaming vendors, tournaments, cosplay contest and more from 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (gaming continues until 11 p.m.) on Trotter Convention Center’s upper level. Tickets $20 age 16 and up; $15 military, first responders (ID required); $10 ages 9-15; free for age 8 and under. Get tickets at gtcomiccon.com.
Forks & Corks — This Starkville Area Arts Council fundraiser from 6:30-9:30 p.m. features top area chefs and tastings of their creative specialties at The Mill Conference Center. Tickets are $75, or $800 for tables of eight. Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com or contact the SAAC, 662-324-3080.
Denim & Diamonds — The annual Oktibbeha County Heritage Museum fundraiser begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Starkville Country Club. The barbecue dinner includes entertainment by the band Avalanche. Tickets are $40 at The Book Mart and the museum. Call 662-323-0211.
Sunday, Aug. 20
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents Rachel Delk Wood at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St., West Point.
Thursday, Aug. 24
Poetry and spoken word — A poetry/spoken word open mic begins at 8 p.m. at Books & Boards, 422 Main St., Columbus, hosted by C.T. Salazar. Call 662-798-0859 for more information.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Island Paddlefest — Bring a kayak, canoe or paddleboard for this 5.5-mile race on the Tenn-Tom to benefit Lowndes County Imagination Library. Race begins and ends at the Columbus Riverwalk. Register by Aug. 12 for discounted $40 entry (and guaranteed T-shirt) at islandpaddlefest.org. Registration increases to $45-$50 for later sign-up. Races begin at 8 a.m. (Fans can enjoy a riverside Storytime with Mother Goose at 10 a.m.)
Sunday, Aug. 27
Sumic Trio — The Columbus Arts Council presents the Sumic Trio at 2 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center’s Omnova Theater. The Sandifer siblings on violin/fiddle, mandolin, guitar and cello present classical to Irish music, sacred to bluegrass. Tickets $10 in advance at columbus-arts.org or the arts center. $12 at the door. For information, call 662-328-2787.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.