Today
Dream 365 — This 5-day tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. in Columbus continues with a 3 p.m. community march from the Riverwalk to the Lowndes County Courthouse steps. The event co-hosted by 100 Black Men of the Golden Triangle Area commemorates the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s march in Washington, D.C., and his “I Have a Dream” speech. The observance includes music by a community choir and speech by Joseph Byrd. For more information, visit dream365.info or contact Learnard Dickerson, 662-425-1234.
Monday, Jan. 21
Dream 365 breakfast — Dream 365 concludes with a commemorative breakfast at Trotter Convention Center from 8:30-10 a.m. Keynote speaker is Harry Johnson, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C., MLK National Memorial Project Foundation. Students and community award recipients will also be honored. Tickets to this event hosted by the NAACP are $15. For more information, call 662-549-2390.
MSU King Unity Breakfast — The 19th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast at Mississippi State University is 7-9 a.m. in Colvard Union on campus. The event is free and open to the public. Keynote speaker is Maj. Gen. Augustus Leon Collins, adjutant general of Mississippi and commanding general of the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard. For more information, contact Latoya Bishop, 662-325-2493.
Thursday, Jan. 24
Gordy Forum — The Gordy Honors College Forum at Mississippi University for Women begins its spring program series at 6 p.m. in MUW’s Parkinson Hall Nissan Auditorium with a discussion on internships and opportunities. The series continues through April with lectures, films and undergraduate research. Programs are free and open to the public. For information, contact Dr. Tom Velek at [email protected] or 662-241-6850.
Café International — The Holmes Cultural Diversity Center at Mississippi State University begins a series of monthly gatherings to promote cultural awareness. Each month features a different country and culture. Join friends from 5:30-7 p.m. Jan. 24 in the Colvard Union Foster Ballroom for Syrian foods and music from various countries. For more information, email Katja Walter, [email protected].
Thursday, Jan. 24
Vocal recital — Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music presents Christopher O’Rear, bass, and Roderick George, tenor, with collaborative pianist Laurie Middaugh, at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. The free concert open to the public is sponsored by the Leslie F. Threadgill Lecture and Artist Series. For more information, contact the Department or Music, 662-241-6399.
Friday, Jan. 25
Bully Gras Ball — This gala event at the Starkville Country Club benefits the Oktibbeha/Starkville Emergency Response Volunteers. Tickets are $50. For more information, contact OSERVS, 662-384-2200 or email [email protected].
Saturday, Jan. 26
Frostbite Half-Marathon — To register for this winter road run of 13.1 miles between Pheba and Starkville, go to the registration link at och.org or email or visit [email protected].
Sunday, Jan. 27
HanaLena Homecoming — The sister duo HanaLena — Caroline and Hannah Melby of Nash Street — return to their hometown of Starkville for a benefit concert at 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center. Proceeds go to the FUMC youth choir, The Messengers, and the Methodist Children’s Home. Tickets are $7 in advance ($10 at the door) at the church office. For information, contact FUMC, 662-323-5572.
Wednesday, Feb. 6
Table Talk — This casual visit with books is hosted by the Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library each Wednesday in February. Memoirs is the month’s theme. Laugh twice as hard with authors and identical twins Katherine and Margaret King Feb. 6 as they share mischievous adventures of their youth in Oxford in the ’50s. “Y’all Twins?” is the first book of their hilarious reminiscences. Bring lunch at 11:30 a.m. to socialize at the library, 314 Seventh St. N. Tea is always served. Talks are noon-1 p.m. For information, email [email protected].
Thursday, Feb. 7
Freedom Riders — The Gordy Honors College Forum at Mississippi University for Women begins a two-part examination of the civil rights movement and presents the film “Freedom Riders” in MUW’s Parkinson Hall Nissan Auditorium. The program continues Feb. 21. For more information, contact Dr. Tom Velek at [email protected] or 662-241-6850.
GSDP Banquet — The Greater Starkville Development Partnership hosts its annual banquet at the Hunter Henry Center at 6:30 p.m. A reception for Committee of 100 members begins at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. Contact the GSDP, 662-323-3322, for tickets or information.
Tuesday through Saturday, Feb. 7-10, 12-16
“The Fantasticks” — Starkville Community Theatre presents Broadway’s longest-running musical at The Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville. All performances are at 7:30 p.m., except Feb. 10, which is at 2 p.m. Paula Mabry directs. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for students. Seating is limited; advance reservations are strongly recommended. For more information, contact the SCT, 662-323-6855.
Friday, Feb. 8
An Evening with Angela Brown — The Columbus Arts Council presents international operatic soprano and Metropolitan Opera performer Angela Brown in “Art Songs, Arias and Spirituals” at Mississippi University for Women’s Rent Auditorium at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 through Jan 25, $20 after Jan. 25; $10 children and college students with ID; free to MUW faculty, staff and students. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Thursday, Feb. 14
Lee Home Valentine Party — A Valentine gala of “decadent desserts, fabulous flowers, magical music and wonderful wine” benefiting the Stephen D. Lee Foundation will be held at Errolton, the home of Keith and Gaines Gaskin in Columbus. For more information, contact Eulalie Davis, 662-328-3088.
Feb. 14-16
Love Letters from Shakespeare — Mississippi State University Theatre presents “Love Letters from Shakespeare” at 7:30 p.m. in McComas Hall on campus. Tickets are $10, available at comm.msstate.edu, or call 662-325-3320. Donor level tickets are also available.
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 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.