Cast for The Rose Tattoo Set
Devotees of Tennessee Williams will no doubt find this news to be thrilling: the countdown to the 2012 Tennessee Williams Tribute has officially begun, with the casting of the Tribute’s signature production, The Rose Tattoo.
The Rose Tattoo (1950) is set in Louisiana, and tells the story of an Italian-American widow, who has withdrawn from the world, after her husband’s death, and expects her husband to do the same.
Auditions for the local production of the Tony Award-winning play were held on Sunday, May 27 at the Lincoln Home, the lovely, historic house that is owned by TWT Chair Brenda Caradine.
An overflow crowd of local actors showed up for the auditions, each hoping to secure a role in the play.
The competition for roles was fierce, but, eventually Director Gabe Smith was able to select the best candidate for each role.
Playing the male lead of Alvaro Mangiacavallo will be Daniel Talley, with the female lead of Serafina Delle Rose to be played by Cherri Golden.
The supporting roles of Jack Hunter and Rosa Dell Rose will be filled by Shane Tubbs and Emily Morton, respectively.
Other local actors who have been cast in the production are: Phillip Barrett, Melanie Hintz, Laura Beth Berry, Anna Kristen Nichols, Mara Gray, Lily Gray, Aaron Pruitt, Paige Canida-Greene, Donna Forrester, Warren Nybo, Jennifer Beneke, Julia Hintz, David Hintz, and Caroline Hintz.
The Costume Designer will be Kay Manzolillo. Steve Kuykendall will be the Technical Director. The Prop Mistress will be Hallie Massey. Claude Simpson will be the Set Designer.
Performances are scheduled for September 4, 5, 7, and 8. All performances are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., with the exception of the September 7th performance, which will begin at 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults; $1- for seniors and military; and FREE for students with ID.
For more information on the play or any of the Tribute events, visit http://www.muw.edu/tennesseewilliams.
Originally Published in the June 6, 2012 Print Edition
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Culture That Anybody Can Afford
As many of you know, we always end this column with the admonition, “Get out and get your culture on!” Some people may respond to that with “I would like to, but money is really tight.”
Everybody knows that we are still experiencing a challenging economy, especially here in the Golden Triangle. However, one of the many wonderful things about living here, is that there are a number of cultural activities that are free. That’s right – I said FREE!
Some of these options may be obvious; others may not.
The Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center (RAC) has a spacious gallery, with art by local and regional (sometimes national) artists. You are not required to buy any of the art (although I’m sure they wouldn’t mind, if you did!). The RAC is located at 501 Main Street, at the corner of 5th Street North. For more info, call 662.328.2787 or visit http://www.columbus-arts.org.
Another great place to view artwork is the Eugenia Summer Gallery, located in the Department of Art & Design building, on the campus of Mississippi University for Women. They offer rotating exhibits of student and faculty artwork, as well as national artists. For more information on exhibits, hours, etc., visit http://www.muwartanddesign.com/gallery.
Renee Reedy Studio, located at 101 5th Street South (below Café on Main) offers free monthly art exhibits. For more information, including gallery hours, call 662.368.8181 or visit http://www.randomactsofculture.biz.
If it’s music that you are interested in, many of the bars offering live bands, in most cases with no cover charge.
Columbus is the birthplace of America’s greatest playwright, Tennessee Williams. His first home, which is located at 300 Main Street, now serves as a welcome center. However, the home also contains some amazing “Tennessee” memorabilia, including a stunning religious cross. Call 662.328.0222 for more information.
Last, but certainly not least, the Columbus Lowndes Library, located at 314 7th Street North, offers a variety of programs with a cultural slant, such as authors’ readings, lectures, etc. As a matter of fact, their Summer Library Program, entitled “Between the Covers”, debuts on June 5th, and includes, among other things, screenings of two Alfred Hitchcock movies. More information can be obtained by calling 662.329.5300.
Once again, the common thread about all of the above suggestions is that all of them are FREE!
I am sure that there are other options, but this is a good start. So, regardless of what your finances are like, you can still…
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in the May 30, 2012 Print Edition
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Just as there are a variety of cultural events that one can enjoy, there is also more than one way to experience them. Obviously, we can visit an art gallery or museum and observe the paintings, or sculptures or photographs. We can attend a concert or a play, and be entertained by the talented artists. We can attend an author’s reception, where the writer shares an excerpt from his latest novel.
What all of these activities have in common, is that in each situation, we fill the role of the spectator. Another way to experience art and culture is to immerse yourself in the particular cultural event. Yes, that’s right – you can participate!
Currently, there are a number of ways to become intimately involved in the arts, here in Columbus.
Registration is now open for the Columbus Arts Council’s Summer Art Camps. Designed for budding artists who are 5-18, this program features activities involving arts & crafts, dance, music, clay, painting, drawing, photography, and more. A variety of sessions are available; they are priced from $50 to $100 per one-week session, depending on whether the participant chooses the half-day format or the full-day. To register or for more information, call 662.328.2787 or visit www.columbus-arts.org.
Individuals with an interest in or experience with acting, have a couple of opportunities available, in the coming days. Auditions for the Tennessee Williams Tribute’s September production of “The Rose Tattoo” will be held on Sunday, May 27, at 3pm, and will take place at 714 3rd Avenue South. More details can be obtained by calling 662.574.4275.
In addition, auditions for the “Casserole Patrol”, the July production of Columbus Community Theatre, will be held at 7pm, on Tuesday, May 29, at the Rosenzweig Arts Center’s Omnova Theatre. To learn more, call 662.328.2787.
One very important, but often overlooked way to participate in our area’s rich cultural scene is to serve as a volunteer. There are a variety of benefits to volunteering, in addition to the opportunity to attend various events at no cost; among them are: giving back to the community, having a voice in the planning and execution of the events, and meeting new people. With its full schedule of cultural events, the Columbus Arts Council always welcomes volunteer participation. To offer your services, contact them at 662.328.2787.
See, we have just given you several more ways to…
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in the May 23, 2012 Print Edition
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Small Army Invades Downtown Columbus
That’s right – a small army has invaded downtown Columbus – but, I bet that you haven’t heard about it, before now.
The key word in the above statement is “small”, because the “army” to which I am referring is made up made of hundreds of figurines, each about one foot in height that comprise Dylan Karges’ show, called “Looking Forward”, which is now on display at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center.
These clay figures, numbering somewhere between 800 and 900 in all, are carefully arranged throughout the front half of the gallery’s main room. Although Columbus has a fairly vibrant arts scene, installation-type exhibits are rare – as a matter of fact, this may be the first one that I can recall, in recent years.
Some of the little “soldiers” are posed on pedestals on the perimeter of the space, but the vast majority are arranged in a grid layout, at floor-level.
Although the figures resemble one another, in basic form, there are also differences – some subtle, others not so subtle – from one figure to another. This is echoed in Karges’ artist statement, in which he writes “I don’t feel that all men are created equal; in fact, I don’t think any two individuals on this earth are created equal.”
Another thing that sets “Looking Forward” it apart from the typical installation is that, unlike most installations, where the individual elements cannot be removed without destroying the concept or the message of the exhibit, these individual figurines are actually for sales, as separate works of art. Each figure is priced at $45, a very reasonable price for a piece of art.
Ah, but that’s the thing. Just like the brand of potato chips, which used the slogan “Bet you can’t eat just one.” I believe that people will find it difficult to limit themselves to just one piece. I imagine that these intriguing little sculptures would look better in one’s home in small groupings. They certainly seem that way, to me!
Remember the magic words….
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in the May 16, 2012 Print Edition
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Awash in a Sea of Culture
Yes, we know that we have said (or is it, written) this, before; but, the past week has been brimming with cultural opportunities.
Let’s begin with “Postcards to Columbus”, the latest installment in the Art in Columbus series of monthly art exhibits being held at Renee Reedy Studio. This show, which featured postcard-sized works of art, in a variety of media, opened with a reception, this past Thursday, May 3rd. The exhibit consisted of 323 pieces of art, each measuring 4” x 6”, which were created by local artists, including area high school art students.
The usual overflow crowd that attended the reception was treated to works in acrylic paint, photography, watercolor, collage, quiltwork, mixed media, and much more.
At the unbelievable rate of just $25 each, the works were practically flying off the wall. However, many fantastic pieces are still available. Get yours, before the show closes on May 31st. Call the gallery, at 662.368.8181, as hours vary.
Music lovers, this was your weekend! If you didn’t get your fill of musical enjoyment, shame on you! The 17th Annual Market Street Festival kicked off, Friday night, with incredible performances by Mingo Fishtrap (who were just phenomenal!) and headliners Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. Mingo, hailing from Austin – the music Mecca of the southwest – wowed the crowd with their combination of blues, rock, country, and funk. For those of you who noticed something familiar about Lukas’ voice, but didn’t make the connection – yes, he IS the son of legendary Willie Nelson. His performance, as well as that of his band, epitomized the old saying of “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Saturday was filled with bands spanning a variety of genres. Sprinkled with local favorites, like Katie Burchfield and Paul Brady, a plethora of acts provided a wonderful experience for festival-goers. The musical extravaganza was capped off, Saturday night, by a series of incredibly-talented performers, including the amazing songstress, Eden Brent.
Oh yeah, and Market Street attendees were also treated to the works of local and regional artists and artisans, at the festival’s Arts & Crafts exhibits.
Woo-wee! I better stop; I believe that I am experiencing sensory overload, just by recounting the past week’s bounty!
Remember, there is always something going on, in Columbus, so…
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in the May 9, 2012 Print Edition
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A Cultural Bonanza
Well, culture lovers, we are in the midst of an embarrassment of riches, in terms of cultural activities, over the next couple of weeks! Where, oh where, to start?!
“Postcards to Columbus”, the latest offering in the Art in Columbus series of art exhibits, will open with a reception at Renee Reedy Studio (101 5th Street South; below Café on Main), on Thursday, May 3, from 5:30pm-7:30pm. The show will feature postcard-sized works, in a variety of media, by artists from throughout the community. These small-scale works will be offered at a very affordable $25 each, making this a great opportunity to get an original piece of art. The event is FREE and open to the public, with food by Café Aromas, beer by Mitchell Distributing, and wine by Wines, Etc. For more information on this or other upcoming exhibits at Renee Reedy Studio, visit http://www.randomactsofculture.biz or call 662.368.8181.
Then, on Friday and Saturday, May 4 & 5, Market Street Festival takes over downtown Columbus. Friday night’s big concert kicks off with Mingo Fishtrap at 7:30pm, before headliners Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real take the stage at 9:30pm. Tickets for the Friday night concert are $10. Saturday will be a full day, with art, crafts, food, and music all day long. The festival wraps with a free, multi-act concert at the Riverwalk, called Lounging with the Local, which will feature, among others, songstress Eden Brent.
The opening reception for “Looking Forward” an exhibit of figurative work by Starkville artist Dylan Karges, is scheduled for Thursday, May 10, at the Rosenzweig Arts Center (501 Main Street), 5:30pm-7:00pm. The event is FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, visit http://www.columbus-arts.org or call 662.328.2787.
Finally, on May 16th, the Omnova Theater at the Rosenzweig Arts Center serves as the setting for a concert featuring Ian McFeron and Alisa Milner. Tickets for the 7:00pm show are $10 in advance, and $12 as the door. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 662.328.2787.
Just thinking about all of the events is making me exhausted! I think that I had better rest up before this cultural onslaught!
As always,
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in the May 2, 2012 Print Edition
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Art & Culture 101: Art Terminology
We’re sure that many of you are quite familiar with a variety of terms that relate to artwork. However, we also recall how it felt, walking into an art gallery or museum, as novices in the art world. The experience can be a tad bit intimidating, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the “lingo”. So, for those of you who consider yourselves novices, we hereby offer the first in an occasional series called “Art & Culture 101”.
Let’s start with the different visual art disciplines. The most-commonly seen are painting, sculpture, and photography. The primary difference between the three is that paintings and photographs are, for the most part, 2-D or flat, whereas sculptures are, by their very nature, three-dimensional.
Although paintings may consist of a variety of media, the primary ones are oil, acrylic, and watercolor. Acrylic paint dries quite quickly, because, since it is water-based, it evaporates; oil takes much longer to dry, because it oxidizes, not evaporates. This is why oil is preferred by experienced fine artists, because it affords them the opportunity to go back and make adjustments to the work. Watercolor tends to produce a more subtle image than either oil or acrylic.
Another media employed by painters is known as “mixed media”. This is a catch-all term that refers to a piece of art that incorporate a variety of materials in its composition and utilizes two or more media, such as watercolor and pencil drawing. “Collage” is a type of mixed media that involves affixing images or objects onto a flat surface. A related term is “assemblage” (ah-sem-blahge), which utilizes many of the same elements, but usually involves a more constructionist or three-dimensional technique. A term that is closely associated with mixed media artwork is “found object”. This is the name for any item that an artist discovers or “finds” and decides to incorporate into the piece of art; examples are broken jewelry, keys, and buttons.
Photography is the art discipline with which most people are familiar. Although photography is, technically, a form of printmaking and all pictures created by a camera can be considered a “print”, there is a big difference, both in desirability and price, between single-edition or “one-of-a-kind” images and multi-edition series prints. In addition, technological advances over the last ten years have enabled photographers much greater leeway in manipulating the images. Some purists, however, would argue that photos that involve digital “sleight-of-hand” by anything other than the settings built into the camera, are not really “art”.
There is a vast amount of information involving the world of art and culture – too much to be covered in one column. We hope that you have enjoyed this first “dip into the pool” and that you will look forward to the next installment of “Art 101”.
Remember…
Get out and get your culture on!
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Signs of Spring Abound
Evidence that spring has arrived is all around us – in the beautiful blooms of azaleas, the switch to Daylight Saving Time, and happenings in the galleries.
What?! The galleries?!
That’s right – signs of new life are taking place in our local art galleries!
This past Thursday, I decided to beat the crowds that one always finds at the Rosenzweig Arts Center’s gallery openings, by checking out Hillary Parker’s new show, early that afternoon.
Simply stating that Hillary Parker is technically proficient is like saying that Tennessee Williams was a talented playwright – both assertions would not only be incredible understatements, but they would also do a tremendous disservice, not only to the work, but also to our enjoyment of it.
Ms. Parker’s sprouts, orchids, and fruits and vegetables are not just perfect replicas of the items that they represent; they seem to burst forth from the page, with a ripe lushness that belies their 2-D nature.
I was particularly drawn to her orchid collage shadowboxes and her “Edible Art” series. The shadowboxes each consist of variety of items – dried plant parts, watercolor images, text, and more – all encased in a simple wood and glass display. The “Edible Art” series was made up of fifteen small prints of realistic images of fruits and vegetables.
Her portraits of dogs added a playful, yet very lifelike air to the show.
All but a handful of pieces in the show are iris giclee prints, making Parker’s work easily affordable, with many examples priced at less than $100 each. For individuals desiring original artwork, there were some half-dozen watercolors, ranging in price from $400 to $3,000, which would make fine additions to any collection.
Parker’s work will be on display until April 28th.
Earlier this day, I had spent a glorious hour soaking in the day’s warmth, breathing in the fresh air, and enjoying a musical performance by Mike Cooper, as the most recent installment of this year’s “Noon Tunes”, a delightful music series sponsored by Main Street Columbus. Mike is a talented musician, who is versatile enough to bridge a variety of musical genres – from blues, to country, to rock & roll. The audience obviously recognized this, as well, as they rewarded Cooper with enthusiastic applause after each number.
Even if, Heaven forbid, you missed both of those spring-like events, you have another opportunity, as more art will burst forth, tomorrow.
The open reception for “Emergence”, a group show of work by emerging artists, and the latest in the “Art in Columbus” series, is scheduled for Thursday, April 5, from 5:30pm-7:30pm, at Renee Reedy Studio (101 5th Street South; below Café on Main).
Having had an opportunity for a sneak peek at the work that will be on display at the show, I can tell you that you will be impressed by what you see, as the term “emerging artist” belies the talent that is evident in the paintings, photographs, and mixed media works.
The Art in Columbus series is a partnership between Renee Reedy Studio, which also offers incredible photography and cinematography services, and Random Acts of Culture, a local arts organization.
Thursday’s reception will feature food by Café Aromas, beer sponsored by Mitchell Distributing, and wines provided by Rooks Wine Cellar, as well as soft drinks. In addition, poster production was provided courtesy of Signature Sound & Printing Media Solutions.
This event is FREE and open to the public.
So, as you can readily see, just like flowers, art can bloom, during this season of renewal. It’s a perfect time to…
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in the April 4, 2012 Print Edition
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“What? When is that scheduled for?”
Over that past few years, I have received that response (or a similar refrain) countless times, upon asking a friend or colleague whether they will be attending this-or-that event. It always amazes me, because the event in question, usually, has been promoted on TV, radio, in newspapers, and on the internet.
This conundrum has prompted us, at The Real Story, to do something about it! In the next few days, we will be launching a dynamic, interactive, comprehensive calendar on our website.
We are going to call it Do662*, because it will be the source to turn to, when you want to know what there is to do in northeast Mississippi.
It will include information on events and activities of all kinds: sports, educational, civic, recreation and, oh yes, arts and culture. (You didn’t think that we would neglect loyal readers of “Culturally Speaking”, did you?)
Readers of The Real Story are going to be amazed at the number of activities taking place in our area. Why, on any given day, there is the distinct possibility that you will have to make some difficult choices, because there are multiple events that are scheduled at the same time.
In order for us to undertake a project of this magnitude, and be as successful as we are committed to being, we are going to need your help. Do you serve on the staff, board, or a committee for a local organization? Is your company sponsoring an event to raise funds for a particular cause? Does your favorite sports team have a game, coming up? Well then, crack those knuckles, loosen up your fingers, and send that information to us! Paired with this new calendar will be a user-friendly form, which you can use to provide us with all of the information that we need to “spread the word”.
Now, as always, we reserve the right to edit or reject any information, due to space considerations or for any other reason. Still, we believe that our calendar is going to be the #1, “go-to” source for what’s happening in northeast Mississippi!
Get out and get your culture on!
*The name Do662 has been graciously loaned to us by a friend of The Real Story.
Originally Published in March 21, 2o012 Print Edition
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Tunes, Tunes, and More Tunes!
Do you enjoy listening to live music? Would you like to be among the first people in the area to experience some local, undiscovered talent?
If the answer to either (or both) of the above questions is “yes”, then you should visit Café Aromas (404 Main Street | Columbus) for one of their monthly open mic nights, which are entitled “Words & Music: An Evening of Spoken Words and Songs”.
These events, which are sponsored by Café Aromas and The Real Story, usually offer an even mix of poetry/spoken word and songs. However, this month’s incarnation, which was held on Friday, March 9th, consisted entirely of songs and music. The appreciative crowd of over thirty culture lovers didn’t seem to mind this fact, as they applauded each performer vigorously and with enthusiasm.
Kicking off the night’s songfest were local fixtures The Saint & the Priest. This talented duo didn’t disappoint, either.
Next up, was local singer/actor/all-around great guy Shane Tubbs, who stopped by one his way to an out-of-town getaway with his wife, and regaled the audience with a few numbers.
The low-key, but very talented Alex Hinton was next to take the stage. Alex is a fan favorite at Café Aromas, and he certainly showed why, on this Friday evening.
Closing out the evening, the duo of Bryan Roberts and Hayden Allen, who comprise part of the band Atomic Toast mesmerized the crowd with their soulful renditions. They incorporate Mississippi themes, as well as references to Greek mythology, into their original lyrics.
The next installment of this very-popular series, which is coordinated by Random Acts of Culture, will be held on Friday, April 13th, at 7pm.
Attention, Artists: Random Acts of Culture, which presents the Art in Columbus series of monthly art exhibits, in partnership with Renee Reedy Studio, is accepting submissions for both “Emergence” (deadline – 3.21.12) and “Postcards to Columbus” (deadline – 4.23.12). Details on how to enter these, or any of their other shows, can be found by visiting www.randomactsofculture.biz.
Go out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in March 14, 2012 Print Edition
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Photography and Paintings and a Letterpress, Oh My!
If you happened to be driving through downtown Columbus, last Thursday night (March 1ST), you probably noticed a sizeable group of people milling about, near the intersection of Main and 5th. Did you wonder about what was going on?
Well, culture was happening!
The Columbus Arts Council, at its Rosenzweig Arts Center (RAC) home, was hosting the opening of a show of work by artist Penny Nichols. The elegant crowd clearly enjoyed the organic, often layered works by Nichols. Her paintings, which were full of texture, employed geometric shapes and vibrant colors to create a stunning effect.
Nichols, who considers herself to be an abstract expressionist, was heavily influenced by the genre of art known as “Experimental Art” (also known as “Accidental Art”), which she was first exposed to in the late 1980s. Even now, more than twenty years later, she says that she begins a new work with no pre-conceived image, but lets the image unfold before her.
Whether you call Nichols’ work abstract expressionism or experimental art, one thing it should definitely be called is impressive.
Across the street from the RAC, at Renee Reedy Studio, an overflow crowd was enjoying the opening of “Phonetography 2.0”, an exhibit of photographs taken with cell phone cameras. The exhibit, which included over 150 photos, taken by fifteen different photographers, ran the gamut from nature scenes, to religious symbolism, to humorous images of roadside signs.
The diverse crowd obviously embraced the vibe at the underground gallery, which, in addition to the exciting photographs, featured sumptuous food, stimulating libations, and even a photo booth, where visitors could don boas, hats and masks before having their picture taken. This is definitely not a stuffy, intimidating art gallery!
“Phonetography 2.0”, is part of the Art in Columbus series, which is a joint project of Renee Reedy Studio and Random Acts of Culture, a local arts organization. This partnership, which is relatively new to the arts scene in Columbus, has been receiving a considerable amount of buzz among art lovers from throughout the community.
The Southern Letterpress, just down the block from the Phonetography show, offered guests the opportunity to participate in a hands-on printing experience, using a vintage printing press. Participants were invited to welcome the transition from winter to spring, as they applied ink to paper. This activity, which will be offered monthly, is something that should not be missed.
Capping off the evening, the Omnova Theatre, on the second floor of the RAC, served as the setting for the latest incarnation in the Columbus Arts Council’s “Partial to Home” music series. On this night, local musician and actor Shane Tubbs, along with Rufus Mason, wowed those in attendance with their musical prowess.
In light of all of the activities that took place last Thursday, as well as events that are planned for the coming weeks and months, it is clear that downtown Columbus is developing into the arts destination for the area. That is a welcome sign, indeed!
Coming Up, This Week: An open mic night, called “Words & Music: An Evening of Spoken Word and Songs, will be held this Friday, March 9th, at Café Aromas (404 Main Street | Columbus), beginning at 7pm. The event is FREE (both to listen and perform) and open to the public. For more information, or to sign-up to perform, call 662.368.8181 or visit www.randomactsofculture.biz.
Go out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in March 7, 2012 Print Edition
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Where to Get Your Culture
Most of the time, it is fairly easy to locate a source for whatever product or service you need or want. You simply “Google it” or, if you are of a certain generation or just not tech-savvy (can anyone say Ted Kaczynski?), you turn to the telephone directory.
Finding sources of cultural enrichment can, sometimes, be more challenging. This arises partly out of the fact that providers of cultural experiences are often non-profit organizations, which don’t have the budget to undertake major marketing campaigns. Another possible cause is that some events don’t have a “home”, a venue at which they are regularly presented. Well, we will attempt to resolve this information deficit, here and now.
There are a number of obvious sources of culture in our community. The most well-known would have to be the Columbus Arts Council and its Rosenzweig Arts Center, which is located at 501 Main Street, in Columbus. They have a newly-redesigned website, which can be found at www.columbus-arts.org, or you can call 662.328-ARTS (2787). They host art exhibits, concerts, plays, and art-related classes.
A relative newcomer on the arts scene, but one that is making a big splash, is Random Acts of Culture. This is an arts organization that organizes a wide variety of cultural events, such as open mic nights, art exhibits, and art-related classes and workshops. For example, they have partnered with Renee Reedy Studio (101 5th Street South; below Café on Main) to host a series of monthly art exhibits, known collectively as Art in Columbus. You can learn more by visiting www.randomactsofculture.biz or by calling 662.368.8181.
The Department of Art and Design at Mississippi University for Women (MUW) presents art exhibits at the Eugenia Summer Gallery (Learn more: www.muwartanddesign.com), while the University’s Department of Music and Theatre presents plays throughout the year (More info: web2.muw.edu/index.php/en/main-music-theatre).
Main Street Columbus hosts a number of events, most notably Market Street Festival. Their Sounds of Summer concert series is also very popular. Visit www.columbusmainstreet.com for more information.
The Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau sponsors several events, including Spring Pilgrimage and Catfish in the Alley, the latter of which is scheduled for this Friday, March 2nd. Details on their events can be found at www.columbus-ms.info.
Almost every month on the calendar features one or more exciting festivals. An excellent example is the Tennessee Williams Tribute & Tour of Victorian Homes, which honors America’s greatest playwright and native son, and is held in September of each year. For a schedule of this year’s Tribute, visit www.muw.edu/tennesseewilliams.
The aforementioned examples are just some of the opportunities that we have available to us.
So, armed with this knowledge, there is no excuse for not going out and enjoying a cultural event.
Get out and get your culture on!
Originally Published in February 29, 2012 Print Edition
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