Wednesday, Oct. 17
Poetry reading — Nationally celebrated poet Sandra Beasley of Washington, D.C., reads from her award-winning collection, “I Was the Jukebox,” at 4:30 p.m. in Fowlkes Auditorium in Colvard Student union on the Mississippi State campus. The reading is free and open to the public. For information, contact the MSU Department of English, 662-325-3644.
Thursday, Oct. 18
“Easy Gardens” — Garden writer Harvey Cotten presents a free program, “Easy Gardens for the South,” at 1 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church Artz Fellowship Hall, 602 College St., Columbus. Cotten is vice president of the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. The event is presented by various Columbus garden clubs and the Lowndes County Master Gardeners. Guests welcome. For information, contact Alice Lancaster, 662-327-4026.
Oktoberfest tasting — The West Point Main Street Design Committee hosts an Oktoberfest Beer Tasting at Anthony’s in West Point from 6-8 p.m. to raise funds for historic street signage downtown. Tickets are $25 ($30 at the door) at Anthony’s, the Smoke Stack, CulinArts and the Growth Alliance in West Point. For information, call 662-494-5678.
Thursday-Saturday
Welty Symposium: The Eudora Welty Writers’ Symposium presents talks by 12 authors, including Sonny Brewer, Caroline Haynes, Susan Haltom and many more, at Mississippi University for Women’s Rent Auditorium. Sessions are free to the public. Info: 662-329-7386.
Friday, Oct. 19
Exhibit reception: As part of the Welty Symposium, Mississippi University for Women hosts a free reception for an art exhibit, “Intersections of Gender and Place,” from 5:30-7 p.m., in the Eugenia Summer Gallery on campus. Info: 662-329-7341.
Friday, Oct. 19
MUW exhibit — Mississippi University for Women hosts a free reception for “Intersections of Gender and Place,” an art exhibit featuring Meg Aubrey, Kate Kretz, Lesley Patterson-Marx and Whitney Stansell, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Eugenia Summer Gallery on campus. The exhibit is on display Oct. 11-31. For more information, contact the art department, 662-329-7341.
ChiliFest — Junior Auxiliary of Starkville hosts ChiliFest from 6-8 p.m. in downtown Starkville, on Main Street. This family-friendly event features competing restaurant teams and benefits the JA chapter’s service programs. For more information, contact Mamie Kosko, 662-312-4212.
Welty Gala: “CBS Evening News” chief national correspondent Byron Pitts is the featured speaker at the Mississippi University for Women’s annual Welty Gala on the MUW campus. Tickets required. Info: 662-329-7148.
Chilifest: Junior Auxiliary of Starkville presents Chilifest from 5-8 p.m. on Starkville’s Main Street. Chili tasting tickets are $5; vote for your favorite. Info: Mamie Kosko, 662-312-4212.
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 19-20
Caledonia Day — Bigger than ever, Caledonia Day weekend kicks off Friday night in Ola J. Pickett Park with exciting kids’ activities and music by Kelsey Collins at 6 p.m., followed by Big Ben Atkins and The Cold, Cold Heart at 7 p.m. and fireworks near 9 p.m. Festival vendors open at 8 a.m. Saturday; festivities include a lawn mower race, pet parade, car show, live music, school bands and much more. For more information, contact the Caledonia Town Hall, 662-356-4117.
Monday, Oct. 22
Struggles at Shiloh — The Hazard Lecture Series presents Dr. James L. McDonough speaking on “The Struggles at the Battle of Shiloh” in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The free 7 p.m. program is at Heritage Academy, 625 Magnolia Lane, Columbus. For more information, contact Beth Lucas, 662-386-3392.
GT Outdoors banquet — Golden Triangle Outdoors Inc. hosts a fundraising banquet, with silent and live auctions, raffles and more, at 6 p.m. in Trotter Convention Center’s lower level. The non-profit organization provides recreational opportunities throughout the year for those with special needs. Tickets are $25 ($40 per couple); $10 for youth 15 and under. For tickets or information, or to donate an auction item or door prize, contact Debbie Taylor, 662-251-3366.
Thursday, Oct. 25
“A Space Symphony” — The Columbus Arts Council presents the Starkville/MSU Symphony Orchestra in concert at Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Free to the community. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
“Down in the Woods” — Macon Main Street hosts a free screening of “Down in the Woods,” a film about late bluesman Willie King, at the R&B Grand Events Center in Macon at 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 27
“Stage Fright” — Come, if you dare, to the Columbus Community Theatre’s entertaining evening of Halloween stories, skits and readings in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater, 501 Main St., at 7 p.m. (And don’t forget the pumpkin decorating workshop earlier that day, from 10 a.m.-noon.) For more information, call 662-328-2787.
World music — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents Todd Green in concert, in Instruments from Around the World, at 7 p.m. at Center Stage in Central School. Admission is $10, or two for $15; $5 for children 13-18 (12 and under attend free). Purchase tickets at CulinArts, Petal Pushers or from arts council members. For tickets or information, call 662-494-5678.
Monday, Oct. 29
Battle of Antietam — The Hazard Lecture Series presents Marc Harris speaking on “The Battle at Antietam” in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The free 7 p.m. program takes place at Heritage Academy, 625 Magnolia Lane, Columbus. For more information, contact Beth Lucas, 662-386-3392.
Tuesday, Oct. 30
Karges gallery talk — The Columbus Arts Council presents a free gallery talk by sculptor and artist Dylan Karges of Starkville titled “Process of Discovery: Excavating Iron Age Israel” at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Thursday, Nov. 1
Gallery reception — The public is invited to a reception opening a gallery exhibit by artist Melissa Smith at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center in downtown Columbus, from 5:30-7 p.m. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Gordy Forum — Mississippi University for Women’s Gordy Honors Forum presents attorney Elizabeth Crowell of Jackson speaking on “It is Your Vote and It Still Matters” at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium of Parkinson Hall on the MUW campus. Free to the public. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Velek at [email protected] or 662-241-6850.
Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 1-3
Decorative Arts Forum — The Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation’s 2012 Decorative Arts and Preservation Forum and Antiques Show takes place at Mississippi University for Women’s newly-renovated Poindexter Hall. Enjoy garden symposiums, dinners, concerts, scholars and much more. For information, contact the CCHF, 800-327-2686.
Friday, Nov. 2
Bulldog Bash — Neon Trees headlines Bulldog Bash 2012, joined by Andy Grammer, Gloriana and DJ Archnemesis in the Cotton District. This celebration begins at 3 p.m. with the family-friendly FanFare with food, vendors and activities, followed by an MSU pep rally at 6 p.m. and the concert. For more information, visit msubulldogbash.org.
Saturday, Nov. 3
Art in Autumn — The Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity at Mississippi University for Women hosts their annual Art in Autumn Auction at 6 p.m. in the Eugenia Summer Gallery in the Art and Design Building on campus. For more information, contact the art department, 662-329-7341.
Friday and Saturday,
Nov. 9-10
Ghosts & Legends — The Columbus Arts Council, Mississippi University for Women and Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau partner to present the return of these spirited tours into Columbus’ past. Buses will depart from the Tennessee Williams Home Welcome Center, 300 Main St. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Ongoing
Historic home tours — Daily tour schedules of some of Columbus’ most historic homes are available from the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center at 300 Main St., or by calling 662-328-0222. Tour fees may apply. Homes open for tours year-round include: Amzi Love Home (c. 1848), Lee Home/Museum (c. 1847), Rosedale (c. 1856), Rosewood Manor (c. 1835), Temple Heights (c. 1837), Tennessee Williams Home (c. 1875), Waverley Mansion (c. 1852) and Whitehall (c. 1843).
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 32 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.