Monday, Aug. 27
Bulldog Pep Rally — The Columbus-Lowndes Mississippi State University Alumni Association invites you to help kick off MSU’s football season at a 6 p.m. Bulldog Pep Rally at Leadership Plaza in downtown Columbus (corner of College and Fifth Street South). Meet-n-greet with mascot “Bully,” plus MSU and area cheerleaders and coaches. T-shirts will be available for $5. Proceeds benefit the MSU cheerleaders’ travel fund. For more information, contact Bill Gavin, 662-574-0295, or Harvey Myrick, 662-328-6850.
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Swept Up Starkville — Volunteers are asked to “Get Swept Up” in Starkville’s clean-up of streets, parks and other outdoor areas on the Wednesday before the Bulldogs’ first home game. For more information, contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322.
Friday, Aug. 31
Howlin’ Wolf Festival — The 17th annual Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival at Mary Holmes College Auditorium in West Point features Nick Moss and the Fliptops, Marquise Knox, Texas Johnny Brown and the Quality Blues Band, and Lightnin’ Malcolm. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music begins at 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 in Columbus at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, in Starkville at Jack Forbus Insurance, in West Point at Bits ‘N Pieces, or online at wpnet.org/Howlin_Festival.htm. $20 at the door. For information, contact Richard Ramsey, 662-605-0770 or [email protected].
Saturday, Sept. 1
Prairie Arts Festival — West Point’s 34th annual Prairie Arts Festival features hundreds of fine arts vendors, down-home Southern cooking, Kids Town, classic cars and more from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in downtown West Point. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121, visit westpointms.org, or email [email protected].
Tuesday, Sept. 4
Tuesday Tunes — The Columbus Arts Council invites the community to enjoy lunch and piano tunes in the Rosenzweig Arts Center gallery every Tuesday at noon, at 501 Main St. The Tuesday Tunes series begins with jazz by Edwina Williams at the baby grand piano. Lunch by Zachary’s will be available for purchase. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 4-9
Tennessee Williams Tribute — The 11th annual Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes includes performances of Williams’ “The Rose Tattoo” Sept. 4-8; a Moon Lake Party Sept. 6 featuring Tony-nominated singer Alison Fraser and pianist Allison Leyton-Brown; a “Stella” shouting contest Sept. 7; scholars’ talks; luncheons; a movie screening; home tours; a Sunday sermon and more. For information, visit muw.edu/tennesseewilliams/, email [email protected], or call 662-328-0222.
Wednesday, Sept. 5
Table Talk — The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library presents renowned Tennessee Williams scholar Dr. Kenneth Holditch, as he reflects on Williams’ life, work and career. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to socialize. Iced tea is provided. Or join friends from noon-1 p.m.at the library at 314 Seventh St. N. for the program. For information, contact the library at 662-329-5300 or email [email protected].
Thursday, Sept. 6
Exhibit opening — Come as you are to the Columbus Arts Council’s reception from 5:30-7 p.m. opening a show of oil paintings by Angelika Robinson at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Robinson, originally from Tajikistan, grew up in Germany and moved to America in 2003. For more information, call 662-328-2787.
Skin Deep — A free reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. opens a group photography show on the subject of tattoos, at the Renee Reedy Photography Studio, 101 Fifth St. S. For more information, call 662-368-8181.
Gordy Forum — The Gordy Honors Forum presents Dr. Ronald Cossman speaking on “The Burning Man Festival: A City of Front Porches” at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium on the MUW campus. For more information, contact Dr. Thomas Velek at [email protected] or 662-241-6850.
Friday, Sept. 7
Starkville Block Party — A 6-8 p.m. Starkville block party on the eve of the Bulldogs’ home game against Auburn kicks off at College Park Shopping Center with a pep rally, followed by a tailgating-wear fashion show at 7 p.m., plus music and family entertainment.
Friday, Sept. 21
Songs of Mississippi —
The Columbus Arts Council opens its season of “Celebrate Mississippi” with Songs of Mississippi, featuring mezzo-soprano Sarah Mabary and pianist Victoria Johnson in the Omnova Theater, Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Tuesday, Sept. 25
Jimmie Rodgers tribute —
The Columbus Arts Council presents vocalist and songwriter Britt Gully in a musical tribute to Jimmie Rodgers in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater. For tickets or 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).
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