Monday, March 21
Kenneth Bozeman masterclass — Guest artist and Columbus native Kenneth Bozeman, tenor, presents a masterclass at 3 p.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Poindexter Hall. Free and open to the public.
“The Storied South” — Mississippi State’s College of Arts & Sciences presents Dr. Bill Ferris, former director of the National Endowment of the Humanities and co-author of “Encyclopedia of Southern Culture,” with “The Storied South: Voices of Writers and Artists” at 6 p.m. in McComas Hall. Open to the public; a book signing follows.
Tuesday, March 22
Ma: The Complexity of Nothing — Ashley Morgan, former study abroad student at Aichi Shukutoku University, presents this program about Japan at 7 p.m. in Painter Hall, Room 113, on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Free. On Facebook, visit MUW International Series 2016: Japan.
Thursday, March 24
Japanese Doll Festival and Tea Ceremony — The Columbus Arts Council hosts this mini-exhibit of Japanese and international dolls at the Rosenzweig Arts Center. At 5:30 p.m., Japanese artist and instructor Chieko Iwata discusses their cultural significance. MSU’s Japanese Club performs traditional dances. Free. Call 662-328-2787 or visit columbus-arts.org for more information.
Friday through Sunday, March 25-27
Living Pictures — Fairview Baptist Church, 127 Airline Road, Columbus, presents this Easter event featuring drama plus music by a 100-plus voice choir and orchestra. “The Sacrifice” begins nightly at 6:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact the church office, 662-328-2924.
Monday, March 28
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — The 76th annual Columbus Spring Pilgrimage kicks off with a crawfish and shrimp boil on the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center lawn, 300 Main St., from 5-8 p.m. Live music by blues guitarist and Clarksdale native Kingfish. Free to the public. Pilgrimage tours and events are March 28-April 9. For more information, go to visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Tuesday, March 29
Discover Japan — The Columbus Arts Council hosts a free educational and entertaining presentation about Japan by Chieko Iwata at 7 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus. Call 662-328-2787 for more information.
Guest artists recital — Soprano Kyoung Cho and bass Won Cho present a guest artist recital at 7:30 p.m. in Mississippi University for Women’s Poindexter Hall. Free and open to public. The duo present a free masterclass at noon the same day in Poindexter Hall.
March 30, April 1, 4, 6, 8
Tales from the Crypt — This popular feature of Columbus’ Pilgrimage features students from the Mississippi School for Math and Science in dramatic vignettes about interesting figures interred at historic Friendship Cemetery. Walking tours are 7-10 p.m.; please arrive no later than 9 p.m. and wear comfortable shoes. $5 adults; $3 students K-12. For more information, go to visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Thursday, March 31
Noon Tunes –Jeffrey Rupp kicks off this four-week series of live music and lunch on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s is available for purchase; drinks provided by Clark Beverages. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Splinter exhibition — The public is invited to Splinter, a collaborative exhibition of paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics and other artwork by Mississippi artists at 1324 Third Ave. N., Columbus, at 5 p.m. Free and open to the public. Visit splintercollective.squarespace.com.
Thursday through Saturday, March 31-April 2
Templeton Ragtime & Jazz Festival — The 10th annual Charles H. Templton Ragtime & Jazz Festival features performances by Paolo Alderighi, Tom Hook, Reginald Robinson, Roseangela Sebba and Stephanie Trick, plus the Gatsby Gala, tours of the Templeton Music Museum and more. Events are at the Mississippi State University Libraries and in McComas Hall. Tickets range from $10 for individual events to $50 for an all-event badge. Visit library.msstate.edu/ragtime or contact Lynda Graham, 662-325-6634.
Friday, April 1
Exhibit reception — Mississippi University for Women hosts a reception from 4-6:30 p.m. in the Art and Design Building for its current exhibits, including a Ceramics Invitational featuring Lynette Hesser and Steve Loucks and a photography exhibit by Chris Jenkins. Free and open to the public.
Friday and Saturday,
April 1-2
Columbus Downtown Spring Open House — Participating downtown merchants in Columbus present a Spring Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Saturday, April 2
Pilgrimage Half Marathon/5K — The Columbus Pilgrimage Half Marathon begins at 7 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home Welcome Center, 300 Main St.; a 5K begins at 8 a.m. For information or to register, go to columbushalfmarathon5k.com.
Artisans Alley — Artisans offer hand-crafted articles and homemade food items at this Pilgrimage event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Home Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus. For information, call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Catfish in the Alley — Enjoy this Pilgrimage catfish cook-off and live music in Columbus’ historic Catfish Alley (Fourth Street South) from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Catfish and barbecue available for purchase. Musicians include Big Joe Shelton at 10 a.m.; Terry “Harmonica” Bean at 11:30 a.m.; Homemade Jamz at 1 p.m.; and Kingfish at 2:30 p.m. For more information, go to visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Mayor’s Unity Picnic — Music, food and fellowship are free to the public at the annual Mayor’s Unity Picnic at the Columbus Riverwalk at 4 p.m.
Sunday, April 3
Chanticleer — The Columbus Arts Council presents Chanticleer in concert at 7 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on the Mississippi University for Women campus. Tickets are sold out, and there is a waiting list. If you purchased tickets and find you cannot attend, thank you for turning in your ticket, so someone else can enjoy the concert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Contact the CAC, 662-328-2787.
Monday, April 4
First Encounter — The Columbus Arts Council presents archaeologists Dr. Brad Lieb and Dr. Charles Cobb as they talk of Hernando de Soto’s 1540 passage into Mississippi and the first European contact with the Chickasaw Nation. Bring a brown bag lunch to the program from noon-1 p.m. at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Drinks and dessert provided. For information, call 662-328-2787.
Tuesday, April 5
MUW Spring Recital — The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music presents a Spring Recital at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on campus. Free to the public.
Thursday, April 7
Noon Tunes — Jimmy James Redd entertains at Noon Tunes from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s available for purchase; drinks provided by Clark Beverages. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Saturday, April 9
Garden Party — This Pilgrimge event from 3-6 p.m. at the Colonnade Garden, 620 Second St. S. in Columbus, features beautiful gardens, plus mint juleps and cheese straws. Admission is $15. For information or tickets, go to visitcolumbusms.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Sunday, April 10
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents Community Handbell Choirs at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center for the Arts, 235 Commerce St. in West Point. Free to the public. For more information, contact Kathy Dyess, 662-494-5678.
Tuesday, April 12
Julia Mortyakova in recital — The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music presents a faculty recital by Dr. Julia Mortyakova at the piano at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on campus. Free to the public.
Thursday, April 14 —
Noon Tunes — Bruce Johnson and Tyler Wheat entertain at Noon Tunes, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Lunch by Zachary’s is available for purchase; drinks provided by Clark Beverages. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Elizabeth Jones in recital — The Mississippi University for Women Department of Music presents a faculty recital by Elizabeth Jones, soprano, at 7:30 p.m. in Poindexter Hall. Free. Sponsored by the Leslie F. Threadgill Lecture and Artist Series.
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