Wednesday, March 26
Civil War historian — The Marszalek Lecture Series presents John T. Hubbell, former editor of the academic journal Civil War History, at 2 p.m. in Mississippi State’s Mitchell Memorial Library John Grisham Room. Karen Senega will also speak. Free to the public. See the related story in today’s Lifestyles section.
Thursday, March 27
Noon Tunes — Hayden Allen entertains at Noon Tunes from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Trotter Courtyard on Fifth Street North, Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s is available for purchase. Mark your calendars for Jeffrey Rupp April 3, Melvin Mordecai April 10 and Dawn Barham April 17. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
MUW hosts Olympian — The Nell Peel Wolfe Lecture Series at MUW presents Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard, winner of seven medals, in Cochran Hall. Her 6 p.m. talk, “Striving for Excellence; Olympic Success and Real Life Challenges,” is free and open to the public. For more information, email Dr. Thomas Velek, [email protected], call 662-241-6850, or visit web2.muw.edu/index.php/en/main-honors/.
Evgeny Rivkin recital — The Leslie F. Threadgill Lecture and Artist Series at Mississippi University for Women presents Evgeny Rivkin at the piano at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the MUW Department of Music, 662-241-6399.
Thursday through Saturday, March 27-29
Ragtime and Jazz Festival — The Charles Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival at MSU’s Mitchell Memorial Library features numerous performers, a Gatsby Gala, tours of the Templeton collections, talks and more. Tickets range from $10 for a single concert to a $50 all-event badge. For information, go to library.msstate.edu/ragtime/festival or contact Lynda Graham, 662-325-6634.
Thursday through Sunday, March 27-30
MUW Homecoming — The Long Blue Line comes home. Events include open house with the president, W Outreach Showcase, a 5K, Southern Grace Dinner, convocation and more. See events and register at muw.edu/homecoming.
Friday, March 28
Floral Design presentation — Columbus’ Spring Pilgrimage opens with home tours and a special floral design presentation by internationally-known floral artist Hitomi Gilliam of Vancouver, Canada. The presentation begins at 2 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center. Tickets are $10. For more information, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533. See the Pilgrimage schedule at visitcolumbusms.org.
Feeney exhibit reception — The Mississippi University for Women Alumni Association Lowndes County Chapter hosts a reception celebrating “Illuminated Memory,” a retrospective of art by Larry Feeney, in the Eugenia Summer Gallery on campus. The 5:30-7 p.m. event inaugurates the Larry Feeney Endowment for the gallery. Free to the public. The exhibit is up March 18-April 10. For more information, call 662-329-7341.
Friday through Sunday,
March 28-30
Highland Games — The Central Mississippi Scottish Highland Games come to the Starkville Sportsplex grounds, hosted by the Golden Triangle Celts. Music, dance and competitive athletic events highlight this celebration. A ball and ceilidh March 28 begins at 7 p.m. at Magnolia Manor in Starkville. Ball tickets are $30 at the Book Mart, Three Generations Tea Room or Magnolia Manor, all in Starkville. Visit facebook.com/CentralMississippiScottishHighlandGames for athletics information.
Thursday and Saturday,
April 10 and 12
Friends Book Sale — The Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library host a book sale from 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. April 10, and from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. April 12 at the library, 314 Seventh St. N. Proceeds help purchase new books and fund activities such as the children’s summer reading program, Table Talk and exhibits. For information, 662-329-5300.
Friday March 28 through Saturday April 12
Columbus Spring Pilgrimage — This 16-day showcase of Columbus’ historic homes and churches features Catfish in the Alley catfish cooking contest, Tales from the Crypt, Artisans Alley, a floral design seminar, garden party, half-marathon, kitchen tour, Wings Over Columbus Air Show, music and much more. Get tour and event information at visitcolumbusms.org, or call the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533.
Saturday, March 29
Catfish in the Alley — Don’t miss this festive catfish-cooking competition ($7.50/plate) and live music from Terry “Harmonica” Bean, the Mickey Rogers Band, Grady Champion and Voices in Harmony choir in Catfish Alley (Fourth Street South) from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., in downtown Columbus. The Red Tail “Rise Above” Exhibit honoring Tuskegee Airmen, plus children’s inflatables, are free. Learn more at visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533.
Garden Party at Colonnade — Stroll through the gardens of historic Colonnade at 620 Second St. N., Columbus, with mint juleps and cheese straws as the Columbus Pilgrimage opens. $10 in advance or at Colonnade. For tickets or information, contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau, 800-920-3533.
Sunday, March 30
“A Sweet Strangeness” — The Columbus Arts Council presents nationally-known storyteller Delores Hydock of Birmingham, Ala., with acclaimed musician/composer Bobby Horton, in “A Sweet Strangeness Thrills My Heart: The World of Sallie Independence Foster, 1861-1887” at 2 p.m. Free. Foster, of Florence, Ala., kept diaries during the Civil War that chronicle innocence colliding with realities of war. For more information, contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Monday, March 31
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — Celebrate Spring Pilgrimage with neighbors and visitors to the city at a crawfish and shrimp boil, with live music, from 5-8 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Welcome Center grounds, 300 Main St. Free. For more information, go to visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533.
April 2, 4, 7, 9, 11
Tales from the Crypt — Meet some of the interesting personalities interred at historic Friendship Cemetery in Columbus during walking tours featuring students from the Mississippi School for Math and Science. Tour hours are 7-10 p.m. (please arrive no later than 9:30 for the last tour). Adults $5; students K-12 $3, at the cemetery.
Thursday, April 3
Gordy Series — Mississippi University for Women’s Gordy Honors Forum Series presents Dr. Dorothy Berglund with “Ice Flow: Positive Psychology in Coaching and Training Athletes” at 6 p.m. in Nissan Auditorium in campus. Free to the public. For more information, email Dr. Thomas Velek, [email protected], call 662-241-6850, or visit web2.muw.edu/index.php/en/main-honors/.
Saturday, April 5
Mayor’s Health Walk — The Mayor’s Health Walk takes place every first and third Saturday beginning April 5 at the Columbus Riverwalk, 8-10 a.m. The walk is sponsored by the City of Columbus, Mississippi University for Women and Mississippi Home Care. For more information, call 662-549-7909.
Artisans Alley — Artisans offer handcrafted period articles and homemade food items from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. outside the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St., Columbus. Go to visitcolumbusms.org for Pilgrimage information.
Book signings — The Columbus Pilgrimage invites you to meet local authors Deborah Johnson, Michael Farris Smith and Rufus Ward as they autograph books at 10 a.m. at the Tennessee William Home, 300 Main St., Columbus.
Girlchoir Kitchen Tour — The Columbus Girlchoir presents kitchen tours of some of Columbus’ most interesting homes. Enjoy floral designs, hors d’oeuvres and mini-concerts by Girlchoir members in each home. Tickets for the fundraiser are $20, at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, Pizazz, Military Hardware and Convention and Visitors Bureau. For information, contact Alicia Harper, 662-386-1203.
Spring into Action 5K — This 5K and 1-mile fun run benefits Sally Kate Winters Family Services. The fun run begins at 5:30 p.m. in downtown West Point. The 5K starts at 6 p.m. Register at sallykatewinters.org.
Saturday and Sunday,
April 5-6
Wings Over Columbus — Columbus Air Force Base hosts this free air show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and many other demonstrations. A CAFB Open House includes ground aircraft displays, exhibits and kids zone. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Bring lawn chairs; concessions are available. (No coolers, bikes, backpacks or pets.) For more information, visit columbus.af.mil or call 662-434-2232.
Thursday through Saturday, April 10-12
Super Bulldog Weekend — A weekend of sports, including the Maroon/White Spring Football Game, at Mississippi State and Starkville also features the Cotton District Arts Festival and Old Main Music Festival April 12. See the entire schedule at hailstate.com.
Friday, April 11
Voice and guitar — A musical program for voice and guitar featuring classical guitarist Dr. Michael Patilla of Mississippi State University and Dr. Joseph Hopkins, dean of the School of the Arts at Samford University, begins at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, 511 Airline Road. Free to the public. For more information, contact the church office, 662-328-8644.
Saturday, April 12
Pilgrimage Half-marathon/5K — The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation host this inaugural half-marathon that begins at 7 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home, 300 Main St., Columbus. (5K starts at 7:15 a.m.) Find registration details and routes at columbushalfmarathon5k.com.
Cotton District Arts Festival — This annual event in Starkville features artisans, juried art, songwriters competition, pet parade, Taste of Starkville, multiple villages, a 5K and 1-mile fun run and much more. For more information, visit cdafestival.com.
Mayor’s Unity Picnic — Bring the family to the Riverwalk for a picnic hosted by Columbus Mayor Robert Smith at 4 p.m. The event includes free food, music and fellowship. All are invited.
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