Today
Bryan Library reception — West Point’s Bryan Public Library invites the public to a retirement reception for Mary Helen Waggoner from 2-4 p.m. at 338 Commerce St. For more information, contact the library, 662-494-4872.
“Wiley and the Hairy Man” — Theatre MSU presents this children’s production by Susan Zedler at 2 p.m. in McComas Hall on the Mississippi State campus. “Wiley” is set in the mysterious Tombigbee Swamp and features a fatherless boy, his conjure-woman mother, his faithful dog and the Hairy Man who haunts Wiley’s dreams. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children. Visit comm.msstate.edu/theatre/.
Monday through Monday, Nov. 18-25
OCC COLLECTION WEEK — Operation Christmas Child centers will accept filled shoeboxes for distribution to children worldwide. Drop-off locations are: Columbus-Boy Scout Hut at Farmers’ Market, Second Avenue and Second Street North, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri; 1-3 p.m. Saturday (662-356-4908); Starkville-Starkville Community Church, 1010 Lynn Lane (662-245-1598); West Point-Calvary Baptist Church, 460 McCord Road (662-494-4421). Visit samaritanspurse.org for OCC box guidelines.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Seniors’ Luncheon — Columbus Mayor Robert Smith hosts the eighth annual Senior Citizens Luncheon at Trotter Convention Center from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. Elementary and high school students, the Senior Band and Senior Happy Feet Dancers will provide entertainment. The luncheon is free.
Author Julie Cantrell — Starkville Reads presents New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie Cantrell of Oxford discussing her newest novel “When Mountains Move,” at the Starkville Public Library at 7 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit starkvillereads.org.
“Persepolis” — As part of the Muslim Journeys programs and exhibits during November, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library shows the film “Persepolis” at 2 p.m. The coming-of-age story of an outspoken young Iranian girl begins during the Islamic Revolution. Free to the public. For more information, contact the library, 662-329-5300.
Thursday, Nov. 21
Thanksgiving Praise and Prayer — A community-wide observance of prayer and thanksgiving takes place at noon at the Frank P. Phillips YMCA, 602 Second Ave. N., Columbus. The observance is sponsored by The Christian Community in Prayer, a non-denominational, non-political concerned group of local Christians.
“Sincerely Yours” — The Columbus Arts Council presents a program of music and readings honoring our nation’s veterans at 7 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center’s Omnova Theater, 501 Main St. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Friday, Nov. 22
Frontline Show Choir — Columbus High School’s Frontline presents selections from “Hairspray” and other numbers at 7 p.m. at the Joe Cook Elementary School Auditorium. Special guest performers are the Lowndes County Dance Company and the Columbus Middle School Combined Choirs. Tickets are $5 in advance; $10 at the door. For tickets or more information, email choir director Michael Jackson at [email protected] or call him at 662-241-7400.
Saturday, Nov. 23
Holiday Farmers’ Market — Don’t miss this showcase of local art, produce, live music, children’s activities and more just in time for Thanksgiving. Hours are 9 a.m.-noon at the Hitching Lot Farmers’ Market, Second Avenue and Second Street North in Columbus. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6355.
Ballet Magnificat — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents Ballet Magnificat’s “Most Incredible Christmas” at 7 p.m. at Center Stage in Central School, 634 E. Westbrook St., West Point. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students under 18. For more information, contact Kathy Dyess, 662-494-5678.
Tuesday, Nov. 26
Country Store Bake Sale — The Association for the Preservation of Antiquities in Columbus and Lowndes County hosts its 53rd annual bake sale to benefit the Stephen D. Lee Foundation. The sale from 10 a.m.-noon at the S.D. Lee Home, 316 Seventh St. N., features homemade cakes, cookies, pies, candies, cheese straws, breads, jellies and more.
Monday, Dec 2
Starkville Christmas Parade — “Christmas in Who-ville” is the theme of Starkville’s Christmas parade featuring Mississippi State cheerleaders, the Famous Maroon Band, floats and more at 6 p.m. For more information, go to visit.starkville.org/festivals-events/christmas-in-starkville.
West Point Christmas Parade — West Point’s 6:30 p.m. parade celebrates “Sounds of the Season.” The city Christmas tree lighting is at 5:30 p.m. in Sally Kate Winters Park. To enter the parade or for more information, contact the Growth Alliance, 662-494-5121.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Criss Concert — The Starkville-MSU Symphony is in concert at Starkville’s First Baptist Church, 106 E. Lampkin St., at 7:30 p.m. The performance, which is free, features compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach and Henry Purcell.
Wednesday, Dec. 4
Lyceum Series — The Mississippi State University Lyceum Series presents The Irish Tenors at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on the MSU campus. Tickets are $15 (plus fee) at lyceum.msstate.edu, or call 662-325-2930.
Wednesday through
Thursday, Dec. 4-5
41st annual Holiday Bazaar — This annual event featuring more than 90 vendors with hand-crafted items is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane. For more information, contact the Sportsplex, 662-323-2294.
Thursday, Dec. 5
Christmas concert — The Columbus Arts Council presents a Christmas Celebration with Stephanie Jackson and friends, featuring Jackson on guitar, Courtney Blackwell on cello, Connie Wise on flute, Jim Beaty on upright bass and Bob Damm on percussion. Tickets to the 7 p.m. show at the Rosenzweig Arts Center’s Omnova Theater are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For tickets or information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Friday, Dec. 6
10th annual Wassail Fest — Downtown Columbus lights up with festivities as participating businesses vie for the title of Wassailmeister from 5-8 p.m. Cast your vote while enjoying live music, holiday activities and prizes. Don’t miss the lighting of the city Christmas tree at 6 p.m. next to the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center, 300 Main St. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
A W Christmas on Campus — After Wassail Fest, join Mississippi University for Women students, faculty and staff from 8-10 p.m. for caroling and refreshments as the campus is lit for the holiday season. Festivities begin near the front gate on College Street. For more information, call 662-329-4750.
Saturday, Dec. 7
Lake Lowndes Christmas Bazaar —
Lake Lowndes State Park hosts its annual indoor arts and crafts bazaar from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, contact the park office, 662-328-2110.
Caledonia Christmas Parade — Join the festivities when the Caledonia Christmas Parade begins at 6 p.m. For more information, contact the Town Hall, 662-356-4117.
Holiday choral concert — Mississippi University for Women’s Department of Music presents a choral concert at 8 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the MUW campus. For more information, contact the department, 662-241-6399.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Christmas Tour of Homes — The Starkville Civic League presents homes decorated for the season, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Refreshments are served at the Starkville Public Library from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are $20, available in advance at The Book Mart, Designers’ Gallery and Greater Starkville Development Partnership in Starkville and Civic League members, or at the library on the day of the tour. For more information, contact Jamie Stubbs, 662-323-0917.
Tuesday, Dec. 10
Columbus Sings “Messiah” — This much-anticipated annual event combines regional voices and instrumentalists to perform Christmas portions of Handel’s “Messiah” at Annunciation Catholic Church, 823 College St. at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Free tickets to ensure seating will soon be available at the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and Party and Paper.
Tuesday through Saturday, Dec. 10-14
“A Christmas Cabaret” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this entertaining musical revue at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $10 for college students and $5 for those under 18. For more information, contact the SCT box office, 662-323-6855.
Saturday, Dec. 14
Columbus Christmas Parade — “Candy Canes and Christmas Carols” is the theme of Columbus’ Christmas Parade which begins at 5:30 p.m. and features the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales, floats, marching bands and much more. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Girlchoir concert — The Columbus Girlchoir is in concert at Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus at 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Musical evening — Pianists Julia Mortyakova and Rachel Delk and tenor Zane Lynn present a Columbus Music Study Club recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. The program is free to the public. For more information, contact the MUW Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
Saturday, Dec. 21
“A Christmas for Columbus” — Christian recording artist David Phelps joins an area-wide mass choir at Rent Auditorium on the Mississippi University for Women campus at 7 p.m., hosted by United Methodist Men of First United Methodist Church. Artist Circle tickets are $30; general admission $20, available at FUMC, First Baptist, Fairview Baptist, First Presbyterian and Pleasant Hill Baptist churches. Proceeds benefit Loaves & Fishes, Last House on the Block and the Good Samaritan Medical Clinic. For information, visit columbusfumc.org or contact Andy Tentoni, 662-352-1844.
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