Today
Organ recital — Steve Hohnstadt, organist and choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, presents a free 3 p.m. recital of music by Bach, Mendelssohn and other composers, plus two original compositions, at the church at 318 College St. in Columbus. All are welcome. For more information, contact St. Paul’s at 662-328-6673.
Symphony orchestra — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Chorus presents “Songs from the West and South” at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Starkville. Doug Browning directs. Free to the public.
Honoring veterans — A military charity dance recital by KMG Creations honors veterans at the Starkville Sportsplex at 3:30 p.m. Free admission. Donations accepted; a portion will benefit the Greater Starkville Development Partnership Oktibbeha County replacement memorial monument project. For more information, contact GSDP, 662-323-3322.
Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 13-17
“Six Dance Lessons” — Starkville Community Theatre’s production of the Broadway play “Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks” at the Playhouse on Main in Starkville is a touching comedy directed by MJ Etua. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15; $10 for students. For more information or ticket reservations, contact SCT, 662-323-6855.
Thursday, Nov. 15
MSU exhibit — A free reception for the Mississippi State Bachelor of Fine Arts Fine Art Thesis Exhibition is 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Colvard Student Union Gallery, McComas Hall Gallery and Visual Arts Center Gallery in Starkville. The exhibit is on display Nov. 13-17. For information, contact the MSU Department of Art, 662-325-2970.
Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 15-18
Storytelling festival — The Golden Triangle hosts its first storytelling festival. The Columbus Arts Council presents Possum Town Tales, featuring nationally-known award-winning storytellers Sheila Kay Adams, Len Cabral and Dolores Hydock at the Rosenzweig Arts Center and Joe Cook Auditorium. The weekend also includes Homegrown Stories, Children’s Story Time, a storytelling workshop, and a Sunday story luncheon for “mothers, daughters, sisters and friends.” For information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Friday, Nov. 16
Concert rescheduled — The HanaLena concert previously scheduled for Nov. 16 in Starkville and listed in this calendar has been rescheduled for Jan. 25, 2013.
Saturday, Nov. 17
Holiday Farmers’ Market — This showcase of local art, produce, baked goods and more from 9 a.m.-noon at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market in Columbus comes just in time for Thanksgiving. Enjoy live music by Melvin Mordecai and children’s activities by Mississippi University for Women. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Movie Under the Stars — The Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority, Convention and Visitors Bureau present a free screening of “The Lorax”(PG) at the Columbus Soccer Complex’s Shell Oil Fieldat 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions available. For more information, contact the CLRA, 662-327-4935.
Sunday, Nov. 18
Columbus Choral Society —
The Columbus Choral Society’s fall concert, “For Love of God and Country,” begins at 3 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the campus of Mississipp University for Women. Alisa Toy and Rachel Delk direct. Free to the public. For more information, contact Amy King, 662-328-2836.
Tuesday, Nov. 20
Country Store Bake Sale — This annual event benefiting the Stephen D. Lee Foundation is from 10 a.m.-noon at the S.D. Lee Home, 316 Seventh St. N. Just in time for Thanksgiving, get homemade cakes, pies, cookies, candies, cheesestraws, breads, jellies and more from the Association for the Preservation of Antiquities in Columbus. For more information, contact Rita Douglass, 662-327-3193.
Tuesday Tunes — Take a musical mid-day break with tunes by Lee Ann Merritt at the grand piano in the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s is available for purchase. Lunch reservations by Nov. 19 are appreciated. For more information, contact the Columbus Arts Council, 662-328-2787.
Monday, Nov. 26
Starkville Christmas Parade — “The Polar Express” is the theme of this year’s 6 p.m. Starkville parade, complete with the MSU Maroon Band and floats from businesses and organizations. For more information, contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322.
Exhibit reception — Main Street Macon hosts a 4-6 p.m. reception opening an exhibit of paintings by Lisa Spinks at the Macon Welcome Center, in conjunction with the annual Holiday Open House. For more information, contact MSM, 662-574-5680.
Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 28-29
Holiday Bazaar — More than 90 vendor booths with hand-crafted items are featured in Starkville’s 40th annual Holiday Bazaar at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. For more information, contact the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 662-323-3322, or email [email protected].
Friday, Nov. 30
“Carols for Christmas” — This Columbus Arts Council holiday program at 7 p.m. features virtuoso Stephanie Jackson on guitar and harp guitar, with cellist Courtney Blackwell and vocalist Stephanie Stubbs, in Carrier Chapel on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Saturday, Dec. 1
“Christmas for Columbus” — A host of singers and orchestra come together for the inaugural Christmas for Columbus concert at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church. FUMC choirs, Mississippi University for Women choirs and ensembles from First Baptist Church are among those participating. The festive program directed by Doug Browning benefits four selected charities for 2012, Father’s Child Ministry, Good Samaritan Clinic, Habitat for Humanity and Helping Hands. Your donation is your admission. For more information, contact FUMC, 662-328-5252.
SAAC Gala — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts its annual gala featuring gourmet foods, wines, silent auction and entertainment. For more information, contact the SAAC, 662-324-3080, or visit starkvillearts.org.
Sunday, Dec. 2
Author’s visit — A book signing with Jill Pascoe for her new book, “Mississippi’s Haunted Mansions,” will be from 3-6 p.m. at the Lincoln Home, 714 Third Ave. S. Several of Columbus’ historic homes are featured in the book. Refreshments will be served; tour the Lincoln Home and Amzi Love gardens. For more information, contact Brenda Caradine, 662-328-5413.
Monday, Dec. 3
Columbus Christmas Parade — This holiday hallmark through downtown Columbus begins at 7 p.m. and incorporates the theme “Going Green: Recycle, Reuse, Renew.” For parade applications, go to columbusmainstreet.com or contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
West Point Christmas Parade — West Point’s parade begins at 6:30 p.m., with the theme “A Christmas Story.” Applications to participate are due by Nov. 28. For more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 4
Swamp Cabbage — The Columbus Arts Council welcomes Walter Parks, Richie Havens’ longtime lead guitarist, back to Columbus, this time with his Swamp Cabbage bandmates and their “swamp boogie blues.” Show time is 7 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater, 501 Main St. Tickets are $10 in advance;$12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Criss Christmas concert — The Starkville/MSU Symphony Orchestra Association presents this free Christmas concert at Starkville’s First Baptist Church at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Michael Brown conducts. For more information, visit starkvillemsusymphony.org.
Thursday, Dec. 6
Festival of Trees Open House — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library, 314 Seventh St. N., hosts an open house from 4-6 p.m. for its Victorian Christmas Festival of Trees. For more information, contact the library at 662-329-5300.
Friday, Dec. 7
Wassailfest — Catch the holiday spirit at the ninth annual Wassail Fest in downtown Columbus from 5-9 p.m. Numerous businesses will vie for the title of Wassailmeister. Enjoy musical entertainment, special store presentations and the lighting of the city Christmas tree at 6 p.m., next to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
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.