Thursday, Sept. 21
“Coffee with a Cop” — Main Street Columbus invites community members to get to know neighborhood police officers with free coffee and refreshments and conversation, from 7:30-9 a.m. at Events Off 5th, 515 College St.
Wine Tasting and Social — This benefit for the Happy Irby Christmas Fund is 7-9 p.m. at the Rosedale Barn, 1523 Ninth St. So., Columbus. Tickets are $50 and include wine tasting and hors d’oeuvres. Limited seating; advance tickets required. Get them at Visit Columbus, 117 Third St. S. For information, contact George Irby, 662-364-1898.
“Lone Star” — Mississippi University for Women presents “Lone Star,” by James McClure, at 7:30 p.m. in Cromwell Theatre on campus, at the corner of 10th Street and Sixth Avenue South.
Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22-23
Possum Town Tales Storytelling Festival — Enjoy laughter and live music as internationally-known tellers Bil Lepp of West Virginia and Rev. Robert B. Jones of Michigan entertain at 7 p.m. at this Columbus Arts Council event at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. National teller (and Columbus native) Jim Lavender of Virginia adds a Possum Town flair. Both nights $20 (or single night tickets $12 in advance/$15 at the door; all three tellers present different performances each night.) Optional dinner at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 23 with $15 advance reservation by Sept. 20. Get tickets at columbus-arts.org, or call 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
Saturday, Sept. 23
Little Hands, Big Trucks — United Way of Lowndes County presents this kid-friendly event from 9 a.m.-noon at the Columbus Soccer Complex at Second Street and Second Avenue North. Entry is $5; complimentary access provided to fire and police vehicles.
Run United 5K — United Way of North Central Mississippi hosts a kickoff 5K at 8 a.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex. Check-in is 7 a.m.. Registration ($25 early; $30; $35 day-of) includes T-shirt and snacks. For more information, visit unitedwayncms.com or call 662-323-3830.
Burger Bash — This second annual Burger Bash from 2-7 p.m. at 803 Fifth Ave. N. benefits Main Street Columbus. Teams compete; burgers and hot dogs available. BYOB. Please park at library, or carpool if possible. For info on sponsorships or signing up a cooking team, contact Colin Krieger, 662-329-7653.
Monday, Sept. 25
Charity fitness party — Mississippi University for Women’s Stark Recreation Center hosts a charity fitness party to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Golden Triangle from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission is your choice of school supplies or fitness equipment such as games, hula hoops and jump ropes. For information, call 662-241-7494 or email [email protected].
Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 26-27
“The Pot of Gold” — Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State University presents this Roman comedy by Plautus, directed by Donna Clevinger, at 6 p.m. in Griffis Hall Courtyard. Free, part of the Honors College Classical Week and Lyceum Series. For information, call 662-325-2522.
Wednesday, Sept. 27
Historical Society — The Columbus Lowndes Historical Society hosts its annual meeting at noon at the Stephen D. Lee Home, 316 Seventh St. N., Columbus. Mississippi State President Mark Keenum presents “Stephen D. Lee: A Higher Education Perspective.” A light lunch will be served. To become a member of the Historical Society, send a check for $20 to John Davis, Treasurer, 916 College St., Columbus, MS 39701.
Thursday, Sept. 28
Downtown Columbus Art Walk — Visit local artists in downtown Columbus businesses from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Shopping after hours, live music and kids’ activities are on tap, too. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305, or the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Nathan Best in concert — After the Art Walk, Grammy recipient (“O Brother, Where Art Thou?”) and former O’Jays member Nathan Best presents a night of smooth jazz, R&B and gospel at 7:45 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. $12 in advance at columbus-arts.org or at the arts center; $15 at the door. Call 662-328-2787 (closed Mondays).
“Gringo Trails” — This documentary on the cultural, economic and environmental impact of global tourism begins at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Free.
“Rise for Recovery” — Recovery House and The Pines and Cady Hill Recovery Center host this fun, free, family-friendly event at 6 p.m. at the Stennis Lock and Dam East Bank Pavilion in celebration of National Recovery Month. A 6:30 p.m. balloon release is followed by a free dinner. For more information, contact Community Counseling Services, 662-327-7916.
“Laughing with the Romans” — Shackouls Honors College at Mississippi State presents a Classical Week lecture, “Laughing with the Romans: Plautus Onstage,” at 2 p.m. in Griffis Hall, Forum Room 401C. Scholars Michael Fontaine, Timothy Moore and Salvador Bartera are featured. Donna Clevinger moderates. For information, call 662-325-2522.
Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 5-7
Seventh Avenue Heritage Festival — Music, food and family fun mark this event that honors the spirit of what was once Columbus’ high-profile African-American business and entertainment district, near the corner of Seventh Avenue and 15th Street North. Many activities, plus Oct. 5 Ricky Smiley is at Trotter Convention Center at 7 p.m. ($35; eventbrite.com). On Oct. 7, Alcorn State University Band parades from Catfish Alley to the festival at noon. For more information, call 662-425-1447.
Friday, Oct. 6
“Living Mississippi” — The Columbus Writers Guild shares their Mississippi stories and writing at 7 p.m. at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Free. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Oct. 7
Veterans Memorial Walk/Run — This fifth annual 5K Walk/Run and 1 mile fun run presented by the Richard E. Holmes II Memorial Foundation begins at 8 a.m. at the Columbus Soccer Complex. Registration is 7 a.m. Enjoy music, food and fellowship. $20 registration by Sept. 29 includes T-shirt. Discounted team registration available. For information, email [email protected] or call 662-889-0180.
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