Monday, Jan. 16
MLK Day commemoration — An 8 a.m. breakfast at Trotter Convention Center features speaker Judge Carlton Reeves, second African-American to serve on the federal judiciary in Mississippi. Following breakfast, volunteers are invited to “Pack the Sack” (lunches) for Loaves and Fishes Community Soup Kitchen. Registration is free at muw.edu/mlk. Presented by the City of Columbus, Visit Columbus, Lowndes County Board of Supervisors, CAFB, MUW, Sodexo Food Services and United Way of Lowndes County.
MLK Jr. Unity Breakfast — Mississippi State hosts a community-wide celebration honoring Martin Luther King Jr. at The Mill, 600 Russell St., Starkville. An 8 a.m. free breakfast and volunteer fair is followed by a 9 a.m. program with speaker Larnzy Carpenter, pastor of First Baptist Church of Longview. Participants are encouraged to engage in “Day of Service” projects from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For information, contact Alicia Hu, 662-325-2493 or email [email protected].
Oktibbeha County NAACP march — The Oktibbeha County NAACP hosts a march and rally at 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of MLK Drive and Douglas Conner Drive.
Thursday, Jan. 19
Exhibit reception — The Starkville Area Arts Council hosts a reception from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, 200 E. Main St., Starkville, for an exhibit of watercolors by David Waldrip. Free to the public.
Friday, Jan. 20
Symphony concert — The Starkville-MSU Symphony presents “Strings Across the Sea,” a family concert, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on the MSU campus. Free. Visit starkvillesymphony.org.
Tuesday, Jan. 24
Ritz Chamber Players — Mississippi State’s Lyceum Series presents this chamber music ensemble at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on campus, sponsored by the MSU Holmes Cultural Diversity Center. Tickets are $25 at events.msstate.edu, or call 662-325-3917.
Poetry reading — Catherine Pierce reads from her new book of poetry, “The Tornado is the World,” at 7:30 p.m. in Colvard Union’s Fowlkes Auditorium (third floor). Pierce co-directs MSU’s Creative Writing program. For more information, contact Michael Kardos, 573-999-0698.
Thursday, Jan. 26
Wildlife Tasting — The fourth annual Lowndes County Wildlife Tasting Buffet hosted by the Mississippi State Extension Service begins at 6:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 69, 308 Chubby Dr., Columbus. Admission is a wildlife dish (plus recipe), or dessert or side item, plus $1. $5 with no dish. Cash prizes and awards. Entertainment by Leslie Smith. Dave Godwin presents a program, “Managing Forestland for Wildlife Habitat.” For information, call 662-328-2111.
Saturday, Jan. 28
SOUPer Bowl — Sample soups and vote for the best Starkville area chefs have to offer at this event from 4-6 p.m. at Starkville’s Restaurant Tyler (upstairs). Tickets are $15 for adults; $5 for children in advance at the GSDP Welcome Center, 200 Main St., or at eventbrite.com; $20 at the door. Bring a canned good to donate to local food pantries. For more information, contact GSDP, 662-323-3322.
Frostbite Half-Marathon — The 32nd annual Frostbite begins at 9 a.m. in Starkville, with a 10K and 5K starting at 9:05 a.m. Visit raceroster.com to register. Find the course map and more info at halfmarathons.net/mississippi-frostbite-half-marathon.
Sunday, Jan. 29
Dorothy McClung Lewis in concert — Gospel artist Dorothy McClung Lewis presents a homecoming concert at 3 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center, Columbus. Guest performances are by The Friendly Brothers in Christ, Canaan Missionary Baptist Choir, The Voices of Zion and The Golden Gates. Tickets are $15 in advance (at dorothymcclunglewis.com.eventbrite.com, Skeets Hot Dogs and various local businesses); $20 at the door.
Sundays at the Center — The West Point/Clay County Arts Council presents the Greenwood MB Church Junior Choir and Mime Team at 2 p.m. at the Louise Campbell Center, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free.
Thursday, Feb. 2
Exhibit reception — The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library hosts a reception for an exhibit of photographs by Levi J. Rowan at 5:30 p.m. Dr. Robert Luckett, of the Margaret Walker Center for the Study of the African American Experience, presents “The Rise of a Little Harlem in Mississippi: The Levi Rowan Photograph Collection.” For information, contact Mona Vance-Ali, 662-328-5304.
“The Atoning” — This new film by Michael Williams of West Point holds preview/test screenings at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Malco Cinema, Columbus. Cast and crew will be present for Q&A. PG-13 for horror elements. Limited seating; get advance tickets ($10) at shendopenfilms.bigcartel.com/. For information, email [email protected].
Friday, Feb. 3
Cary Hudson in concert — The Columbus Arts Council presents Mississippi songwriter and performer Cary Hudson at 7:30 p.m. in the Rosenzweig Arts Center Omnova Theater. “Roots music at its best,” says Legends magazine. Tickets $10 in advance; $12 at the door, if available. Limited seating. Get tickets at columbusarts.com or call 662-328-2787.
Sunday, Feb. 5
The West Point/Clay County Arts Council hosts an exhibit opening at 2 p.m. featuring art by Cindy Neely and Central School art students at the Louise Campbell Center, 235 Commerce St., West Point. Free.
Feb. 9-12, 14-18
“Silent Sky” — Starkville Community Theatre presents this true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt as she explores a woman’s place in society during a time of scientific discoveries. Showtimes 7:30 p.m. (2 p.m. Sunday) at the Playhouse on Main, 108 E. Main St., Starkville. Tickets are $15; $10 students. For tickets or information, contact the box office, 662-323-6855.
Friday, Feb. 10
Big Band concert — Gill Harris and the Big Band Theory present a big band concert and dance at 8 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center, Columbus. An all pro big band is joined by vocalists Denise Reid and Roger Burlingame. Advance tickets $40 ($45 at the door); reserved tables for up to 10, $320 (cash or checks). Get tickets at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., Columbus.
Sunday, Feb. 12
Arts & Action — This fundraiser for MSU’s Collegiate Recovery Community at 4 p.m. at Old Waverly Golf Club, West Point, features Chef Robert St. John and artist Wyatt Waters, with a demo and dining experience and live painting. Live and silent auctions. Tickets are $200 and must be purchased in advance; limited to the first 100 supporters. Get tickets at eventbrite.com or contact Blake Schneider, 662-325-3192.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
St. Valentine’s Gala — The Stephen D. Lee Foundation presents this fundraiser featuring “fabulous flowers, decadent desserts and spirits” at the home of Eulalie and John Davis in Columbus. For ticket information, contact Eulalie Davis, 662-328-3088.
Friday, Feb. 17
“Art in Space” CAC Gala — The Columbus Arts Council’s 33rd annual gala begins at 5:30 p.m. at Trotter Convention Center. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, silent and live auctions, live music and dance, open bar. Until Jan. 31, tickets are $65, or reserve a table for eight for $550. ($75/$600 after Jan. 31). Ticket sales close Feb. 10. Get tickets at columbus-arts.org or at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St. Call 662-328-2787 for information.
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