Today
“A Sweet Strangeness” — The Columbus Arts Council presents nationally-known storyteller Dolores Hydock of Birmingham, Ala., with acclaimed historical musician/composer Bobby Horton, in “A Sweet Strangeness Thrills My Heart: The World of Sallie Independence Foster, 1861-1887” at 2 p.m. Free. Foster, of Florence, Ala., kept diaries during the Civil War that chronicle innocence colliding with realities of war. Call the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Highland Games — The Central Mississippi Scottish Highland Games hosted by the Golden Triangle Celts continue today from noon-5 p.m. on the grounds of the Starkville Sportsplex at 405 Lynn Lane in Starkville. Watch athletes compete in traditional Scottish events and enjoy family-friendly activities. Free. Lawn chairs recommended.
Now through April 12
Columbus Spring Pilgrimage — This 16-day showcase of Columbus’ historic homes and churches features a kickoff party shrimp boil, Tales from the Crypt, Artisans Alley, half-marathon, kitchen tour, Wings Over Columbus Air Show, music and much more. Get tour and event information at visitcolumbusms.org, or call the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533.
Monday, March 31
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — Celebrate Spring Pilgrimage with neighbors and visitors to Columbus at a festive crawfish and shrimp boil, with live music, from 5-8 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center grounds, 300 Main St. Free. For more Pilgrimage information, go to visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533.
Tuesday, April 1
African-American Quilters — Storyteller and fiber artist Diane Williams shares “The Historic Journey of African-American Quilters” at 2 p.m. at the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N. Williams discusses the Kente cloth woven fibers of West Africa and quilts made by African slaves. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
April 2, 4, 7, 9, 11
Tales from the Crypt — Meet some of the interesting personalities interred at historic Friendship Cemetery in Columbus during walking tours featuring students from the Mississippi School for Math and Science. Tour hours are 7-10 p.m. (please arrive no later than 9:30 for the last tour). Adults $5; students K-12 $3, at the cemetery.
Thursday, April 3
Gordy Series — Mississippi University for Women’s Gordy Honors Forum Series concludes with Dr. Dorothy Berglund with “Ice Flow: Positive Psychology in Coaching and Training Athletes” at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium in campus. Free to the public. For more information, email Dr. Thomas Velek, [email protected], call 662-241-6850, or visit web2.muw.edu/index.php/en/main-honors/.
Friday, April 4
Guitar recital — The Leslie F. Threadgill Lecture and Artist Series at Mississippi University for Women hosts Richard Todd in a solo guitar recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on campus. Free to the public.
Friday and Saturday,
April 4-5
MSU Spring Plant Sale — Mississippi State’s Horticulture Club’s annual plant sale is open to the public April 4, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., and April 5, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.. Bedding plants, hanging plants, succulents, vegetables and herb plants will be available at greenhouses behind Dorman Hall on campus. For more information, contact the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, 662-325-2311.
Saturday, April 5
Farmers’ Market opening — The Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market in Columbus opens for Saturdays in April, from 7-10 a.m. Get a taste of what’s to come as early spring produce and plant vendors and artisans bring goods to the market at Second Avenue and Second Street North. Mark calendars for the grand opening May 10, when the market will open three days a week. Go to hitchinglot.org or follow them on Facebook.
Mayor’s Health Walk — The Mayor’s Health Walk takes place every first and third Saturday beginning April 5 at the Columbus Riverwalk, 8-10 a.m. The walk is sponsored by the City of Columbus, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Home Care. For more information, call 662-549-7909.
Artisans Alley — Artisans offer handcrafted period articles and homemade food items from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. outside the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St., Columbus. Go to visitcolumbusms.org for Pilgrimage information.
Book signings — The Columbus Pilgrimage invites you to meet local authors Deborah Johnson, Michael Farris Smith and Rufus Ward as they autograph books at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee William Home, 300 Main St., Columbus.
Girlchoir Tour — The Columbus Girlchoir presents tours of some of Columbus’ most interesting homes. Enjoy floral designs, hors d’oeuvres and mini-concerts by Girlchoir members in each home. Tickets for the fundraiser are $20, at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, Pizazz, Military Hardware and Convention and Visitors Bureau. For information, contact Alicia Harper, 662-386-1203.
Spring into Action 5K — This 5K and 1-mile fun run benefits Sally Kate Winters Family Services. The fun run begins at 5:30 p.m. in downtown West Point. The 5K starts at 6 p.m. Register at sallykatewinters.org.
Saturday and Sunday,
April 5-6
Wings Over Columbus — Columbus Air Force Base hosts this free air show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and many other demonstrations. A CAFB Open House includes ground aircraft displays, exhibits and kids zone. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring lawn chairs; concessions are available. (No coolers, bikes, backpacks or pets.) For more information, visit columbus.af.mil or call 662-434-2232.
Monday, April 7
Irish dance workshop — Join Dr. Beverly Joyce of Mississippi University for Women at Stark Recreation Center on campus for an introduction to Irish social dance at 7 p.m., part of the MUW International Series on Ireland. Free and open to the public. For information, email [email protected] or [email protected], or visit the Series’ Facebook page.
Thursday and Saturday,
April 10 and 12
Friends Book Sale — The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library host a book sale from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 10, and from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 12 at the library, 314 Seventh St. N. Proceeds help purchase new books and fund activities such as the children’s summer reading program, Table Talk and exhibits. For information, 662-329-5300.
Thursday through Saturday, April 10-12
Super Bulldog Weekend — A weekend of sports, including the Maroon/White Spring Football Game, at Mississippi State and Starkville also features the Cotton District Arts Festival and Old Main Music Festival April 12. See the entire schedule at hailstate.com.
Friday, April 11
Voice and guitar — A musical program for voice and guitar by classical guitarist Dr. Michael Patilla of Mississippi State University and Dr. Joseph Hopkins, dean of the School of the Arts at Samford University, begins at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 511 Airline Road. Free to the public. For more information, contact the church office, 662-328-8644.
Saturday, April 12
Pilgrimage Half-marathon/5K — The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation host this inaugural half-marathon that begins at 7 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St., Columbus. (5K starts at 7:15 a.m.) Find registration details and routes at columbushalfmarathon5k.com.
Cotton District Arts Festival — Starkville’s annual festival features artisans, juried art, songwriters competition, pet parade, Taste of Starkville, multiple villages, a 5K and 1-mile fun run and much more. For more information, visit cdafestival.com.
Mayor’s Unity Picnic — Bring the family to the Riverwalk for a picnic hosted by Columbus Mayor Robert Smith at 4 p.m. The event includes free food, music and fellowship. All are invited.
Tuesday, April 15
MUW spring recital — Mississippi University for Women music students present a spring recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on campus. Free to the public. For more information, contact the Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
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