Today
Rust College Choir — St. James United Methodist Church, 722 Military Road, Columbus, hosts this acclaimed a cappella choir at 6:30 p.m. Admission donation is $10 adults; $5 youth 12-18 (children 11 and under attend free). For more information, contact Tavetia Hughes, 662-327-4538.
Monday, March 25
MSU Lowndes Alumni — Join Lowndes County volunteers and MSU Alumni Association staff for a chapter meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. at Lost Pizza Co., 2009 Highway 45 N., Columbus. Appetizers provided; all other orders Dutch treat. For information and to RSVP, call 662-325-8515 or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Tuesday, March 26
Meet the Author — Mississippi University for Women Fant Memorial Library hosts a Meet the Author Series talk by Jaime Harker of the University of Mississippi at 4:30 p.m. Harker discusses her book “The Lesbian South: Southern Feminists, the Women in Print Movement, and the Queen Literary Canon.” Free to the public.
Tuesday and Wednesday, March 26-27
Emerging Voices Vol. 2 — The W’s Department of Theatre and Department of Language, Literature and Philosophy present staged readings of original plays by W students, plus student-directed one-act plays, at 7 p.m. in Cromwell Theatre on campus. Free.
Wednesday, March 27
Noon Tunes — This spring series of free midday music in Trotter Convention Center’s Courtyard in downtown Columbus kicks off with Jase Dalrymple from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Food will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Thursday, March 28
Pilgrimage Kickoff Party — Columbus’ 79th annual Pilgrimage kicks off with a community-wide party from 5-8 p.m. on the grounds of the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St. Live music, plus crawfish and shrimp plates by Huck’s available for purchase. For more information, contact Visit Columbus, 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Homecoming concert — Mississippi University for Women presents a concert with pianist Elena Klionsky at 8 p.m. in Poindexter Hall on campus, sponsored by the Leslie F. Threadgill Lecure and Artist Series. Free to the public.
Thursday through Saturday, March 28-30
Ragtime Jazz Festival, Gatsby Gala — The 13th annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime Jazz Festival at Mississippi State University’s Mitchell Memorial Library and other locations features multiple performing artists and silent films. The Gatsby Gala opens the festival with a 1920s-inspired fashion show and exhibits at the library March 28. Get information and tickets at festival.library.msstate.edu. or call 662-325-6634.
Thursday through Sunday, March 28-31
MUW Homecoming — Mississippi University for Women’s homecoming features numerous activities including musical performances, art exhibitions and presentations and more. Find the schedule of events at longblueline.muw.edu.
Friday and Saturday, March 29-30
“Suor Angelica” — The MSU Opera Production program presents Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” at 7:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church Connection Center at 101 E. Lampkin St. in Starkville. Tickets are $10 adults; $5 students, available in advance by contacting Cathy Evans, 662-325-3490 or [email protected].
March 29 and April 1, 3, 5
Tales from the Crypt — Wear comfortable walking shows as these tours at Friendship Cemetery begin as part of the Columbus Pilgrimage, 7-10 p.m. (arrive no later than 9 p.m.). History and drama combine as MSMS students reenact noted personalities interred at the historic cemetery. Tickets are $5 adults; $3 students, sold only upon arrival.
Saturday, March 30
Pilgrimage 5K Run — The sixth annual Columbus Pilgrimage 5K begins at 7:15 a.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St., and winds through historic neighborhoods. For information and registration, go to racesonline.com.
Catfish in the Alley/Artisans Alley — This Pilgrimage event from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. includes catfish for purchase, Artisans Alley vendors and live blues on Catfish Alley (Fourth Street South), downtown Columbus. (Big Joe Shelton & The Black Prairie Blues Ambassadors 10-11 a.m.; Terry “Harmonica” Bean 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.; Grady Champion 12:30-1:30 p.m.; Keith Johnson & The Big Muddy Band 1:45-2:45 p.m. Go to VisitColumbusMS.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191.
Tuesday, April 2
Buttahatchee Barn Quilt Trail Tea Cakes & Tea — From 4-6 p.m., enjoy quilts, homemade tea cakes and mint tea at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church in Steens. For more information, call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191. Part of the Columbus Pilgrimage.
Wednesday, April 3
Town & Tower — The Town & Tower Club quarterly meeting will include Columbus Air Force Base at 11:30 a.m. in the Gail Gunter Multipurpose Room of The W’s Fant Memorial Library on campus. Cost is $15, payable at the door. RSVP by noon Friday, March 29 to 662-329-7119.
Noon Tunes — Wayward Priest entertains at Noon Tunes from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Lunch will be available for purchase. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Friday, April 5
Book signing — At this Pilgrimage event, author Philip Shirley signs copies of his newest novel, “The Graceland Conspiracy,” from 2-5 p.m. at the Tennessee Williams Home and Welcome Center, 300 Main St., Columbus.
Old Main Music Festival — MSU Music Maker Productions’ free Old Main Festival features Lewis Del Mar, Duncan Fellows, Dirty Streets, Tiny Towns, Bailey Bigger, C Fulton and Undergrad and the Conditions. Activities including an art market and food vendors begin at 3 p.m. Main Stage music starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit msuconcerts.com or call 662-325-2930.
TEDx Conference — A former Olympic medalist, a former Green Beret plus five others speakers are featured at a TEDx Conference from 4-9 p.m. at the Dawg House in MSU’s Colvard Student Union. Limited tickets, $10. Event will be live streamed. For more information, email [email protected].
Saturday, April 6
“Strolling South Side” — This Columbus Girlchoir Home Tour from 10 a.m.-noon includes homes at 106 Sixth Ave. S., 115 Fifth Ave. S., and 519 Third St. S. Tastings and floral designs are featured at each home. Tickets are $20 at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, Tennessee Willams Welcome Center, Impressions by Susan, or from any Girlchoir member or board member.
Pilgrimage Garden Party — Stroll through Temple Heights’ historic gardens in Columbus while enjoying mint juleps and cheese straws. Tickets to this 3-6 p.m. garden party are $15. Go to VisitColumbusMS.org or call 800-920-3533 or 662-329-1191 for information.
International Fiesta — A festive day of cultural exchange from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at MSU’s Drill Field includes music, dance, foods, traditional clothing, inflatables and cultural displays. Free. For information, contact Kei Mamiya, 662-325-2033 or [email protected].
Taco Hop — At the The Partnership’s inaugural Taco Hop in downtown Starkville from noon-3 p.m., restaurants prepare specialty street tacos for $1 each. Purchase craft beer tasting tickets for $20, which includes unlimited tastings during the event. Live music. Get tickets at eventbrite.com, visit starkville.org or call 662-323-3322.
Oktibbeha Relay for Life — This American Cancer Society fundraiser from 4-11:30 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex, 405 Lynn Lane, includes a survivor/caregiver walk, luminaria ceremony and opening and closing ceremonies. For more information, call 985-373-0765 or email [email protected].
Wednesday, April 10
Noon Tunes — Jeffrey Rupp entertains at Noon Tunes from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Trotter Convention Center Courtyard in downtown Columbus. Lunch available for purchase. For more information, contact Main Street Columbus, 662-328-6305.
Friday through Sunday, April 12-14
Super Bulldog Weekend — Events include the Maroon and White spring football game (1 p.m. April 13), Diamond Dawgs baseball, women’s tennis, MSU soccer and more. Follow MSU Athletics on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. #SBW19.
Saturday, April 13
Cotton District Arts Festival — This spring festival from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in Starkville’s Cotton District includes artisans, Taste of Starkville restaurant competition, juried arts show, live music, songwriter’s competition and more. Visit cdafestival.com, follow the festival on Facebook.
Symphony concert — The Starkville-MSU Symphony orchestra presents a concert of epic movie themes at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium on the MSU campus. Free to the public.
Tuesday, April 16
100+ Women Who Care — In Columbus and Lowndes County: 100 women giving $100 means $10,000 awarded to a member-nominated and voted on local charity. Too good to be true? Believe it. #the POWERof100. A Membership registration and social is 5:30 p.m. April 16 at Courtyard by Marriott in Columbus.
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