Mississippi Arts Event Planner : 1st Quarter

The Lounge List (Event Calendar) Mississippi Arts Planner :

Jackson Music Listings                                                                 January - March
Music Venue List                                                                         April - June
Regional Music Listings                                                                July - September

Music Blog October - December

Grid Calendar :

January

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra 60th Season - January - May

Various performances are offered by the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra at Thalia Mara Hall and at the Ross Barnett Reservoir, Old Trace Park. 201 E. Pascagoula St.
Jackson, MS. 601-960-1565 www.msorchestra.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and Parade Jackson A full week of activities leads up to the second-largest parade in America honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Saturday. Celebration consists of gospel singing, talent show, music and more. Parade features bands from across the country. Parade at Freedom Corner, MLK Dr. and Medgar Evers Blvd. Free. 601-960-1090.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Mississippi Business Expo Jackson, Jan. 19-20, 2005. Miss. Trade Mart, 9 a.m. Author/Speaker Taylor Tagg, and Entrepreneur Rick McCreary. Free. 601-364-1013, 601-364-1015

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Eleventh Moon Storytelling Festival Jan. 29, 2 p.m. 2005. Natchez, Ms. This unique storytelling event of intriguing tales of nature and the North American Indian. Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd. Free. 601-446-6502, 800-647-6724. www.natchez.ms.us

______________________________________________________________________________________

Dixie National Livestock Show & Rodeo Jan. - Feb. Jackson. The second-largest livestock show and largest rodeo east of the Mississippi River is sponsored by the Mississippi Fair Commission. Three weeks of competition and judging offers a close look at some of the world's finest championship livestock. Mississippi State Fairgrounds. (601)961-4000

______________________________________________________________________________________

February

Mississippi Gem and Mineral Show Jackson. Feb. 26-27, 2005. Gems, minerals, fossils, educational exhibits and demonstrations by dealers from 11 states make this show a glittering event. A and I Buildings. 601-859-1240, 601-960-1891, 601-936-3250.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Dixie National Western Festival, Rodeo and Livestock Show Held each year in conjunction with the Dixie National Livestock Show and Rodeo, this western-style festival offers arts, crafts, beef cook-off, living-history demonstrations and music to entertain. Mississippi State Fairgrounds. Free. 601-961-4000

______________________________________________________________________________________

Carnival Association of Long Beach Mardi Gras & Parade The Long Beach Mardi Gras Parade rolls through this beautiful old coastal town with all the sparkle and glitter, beads and tokens associated with the celebration. Free. (228)255-3274.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mystic Krewe of Alpheus Mardi Gras Parade and Ball Natchez. Ball Jan. 22, 2005, Parade Jan. 28. This spectacular nighttime parade features music, flambeaux, throws and floats. A ball with live entertainment follows the parade. Costume and black tie are optional. Downtown Natchez and Highland Health Club. 601-445-9045, 601-442-4038, 800-647-6724. www.natchez.ms.us

_____________________________________________________________________________________

16th Annual Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration Feb. 23-27, 2005. Natchez Convention Center, Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Between Two Worlds: Free Blacks in the Antebellum South. Historical, literary, political, social, artistic, and natural heritage of Mississippi and the South lectures, films, documentaries, programs, seminars, workshops, discussions, concerts, dramatic presentations, exhibits, tours, field trips, book signings, and award ceremonies. Most events free. 866-296-6522. colin.edu/nlcc

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mardi Gras - New Orleans Feb. 8, 2005, Feb. 28, 2006. The 7th Tuesday before Easter, and the day before Ash Wednesday. mardigras.neworleans.com

(If you'd like an explanation as to when Easter is each year and why Click Here)

______________________________________________________________________________________

March

Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and Festival March 18, 12 noon, 2006. Downtown Jackson, MS. 601-355-7685. Old Capitol Grounds - 8 a.m. 5K Run Walk; 9 a.m. Children's Fest; 10 a.m. Pet Parade; 11 a.m. Children's Parade. On each 2nd or 3rd Saturday in March, downtown Jackson decks out in green for a rollicking Irish celebration with Mardi Gras and Halloween overtones. Beginning with the convening of thousands of international Sweet Potato Queen Wannabees, Mal's St. Paddy's Parade and Festival builds to the Sweet Potato Queens Ball, presided over by the Boss Queen Jill Conner Browne herself on Friday, an outrageously entertaining parade and a wild street dance on Saturday. There are special children's activities on Saturday morning. Street music party at Hal & Mal's after the parade, $6. halandmals.com ______________________________________________________________________________________

Ballet Magnificat! Spring ConcertEaster presentation of "Deliver Us," March 19, 2005, at Thalia Mara Hall, 255 Pascagoula St., downtown Jackson. Ballet Magnificat! is a classical ballet company with a religious mission presenting an annual season of international and local performances, including Spring and Christmas concerts in Thalia Mara Hall. Three separate ensembles perform at churches, colleges, and concert halls. Ballet Magnificat! also operates a prestigious ballet school with an international enrollment. 5406 I-55 North. 601-977-1001. balletmagnificat.com ______________________________________________________________________________________

Bagwell Antique Show - Mississippi Trade Mart at the Jackson Coliseum Fairgrounds. 662-856-8948, 601-939-1243. Each Spring and Fall, one of the best antiques shows and sales in the Southeast. Exhibitors from over 20 states display some of the finest antiques and art objects ever collected under one roof. Among many fascinating pieces are paintings, leather bound books, china, oriental rugs, statues, lace & linens, estate jewelry, silver, glassware, porcelain pottery, and bronzes. Primitive furniture and items such as tools, pottery, quilts, Indian relics, prehistoric items, and civil war memorabilia are also available. Public Show hours: Friday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday 10 p.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 12 pm.-5 p.m. Admission: Adults $4, children $2. Good for the entire weekend. March and October each year.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Chevy Eastern National Cutting Horse Show Fast and furious action surrounds this national cutting horse show, where both amateur and professional horsemen compete in all classes of this prestigious equine sport. Mississippi State Fairgrounds, Expo Center. Free. 601-961-4000. www.nchacutting.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Natchez Pow Wow at the Grand Village of Natchez Indians March 25-26, 10 a.m., 2006. Native American Indians gather annually for dance competitions, music and craft demonstrations. Bring your camera for this colorful and exciting powwow. Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, 400 Jefferson Davis Blvd., $1. 601-446-6502. natchez.ms.us

______________________________________________________________________________________

ZooOlympics Jackson Zoo 601-352-2585

_____________________________________________________________________________________

20th Annual Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival March 30-April 2, 2006. Annual 5-day celebration held in late March, which showcases national and regional scholars, writers, and performing artists. Programs include panel discussions, theatrical performances, a one-act play competition, lectures, literary walking tours, musical performances, and a bookfair. 504-581-1144. www.tennesseewilliams.net

______________________________________________________________________________________

Scottish Highland Games Jackson Ag Museum

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Herb and Music Fest March 25-26. Ocean Springs. A uniquely combined artistic, agricultural, educational and family-oriented event. Comprised of a wide variety of activities, vendors, music, food and demonstrations. Downtown Ocean Springs. Free. 228-875-4424 www.oceanspringschamber.com

______________________________________________________________________________________

Mississippi Gulf Coast Spring Pilgrimage March - April. Biloxi and Ocean Springs. www.oceanspringschamber.com

______________________________________________________________________________________

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Irish Heritage Celebration Biloxi (228) 896-4126.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mynelle Gardens Annual Formal Plant Sale At Mynelle Gardens, something is always in bloom. But this is never more evident than during springtime. The official annual opening of the gardens is celebrated with entertainment, music, special exhibits and a plant sale on Saturday. 4736 Clinton Blvd. 601-960-1894.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Krewe of Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade and Ball Feb. 4, 2005, Parade. Feb. 5, Ball. Historic downtown Natchez is the 3t. setting for the music, floats and traditional throws surrounding this year's celebration. After the parade, a costume or black tie ball will be held featuring live entertainment and a heavy hors d'oeuvre buffet. Downtown Natchez and Natchez Convention Center. (601)446-6345, 800-647-6724. www.natchez.ms.us

_____________________________________________________________________________________

D'Iberville / St. Martin Gulf Coast Mardi Gras Parade This large traditional parade includes throws of doubloons, beads, cups and soft toys. D'Iberville/St. Martin area. Free. (228)392-9729

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Mardi Gras in Biloxi Three sparkling parades wind their way through the streets of Biloxi. Festivities at the Coronation Ball include the crowning of King d'Iberville and Queen Ixolib, rulers of Mardi Gras on the entire Gulf Coast. Downtown Biloxi. Free. (228)432-8806.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Natchez Fall Pilgrimage At the heart of the Spring and Fall Pilgrimages are guided tours of the magnificent mansion houses built during the King Cotton era, prior to 1862. Listen to the stories these venerable historic houses tell. Guided tours are conducted daily by hoopskirted hostesses who interpret the rooms, furnishings and history of each house. In the colorful legends of these gracious, time-mellowed dwellings is enshrined the history of Mississippi. Natchez, Oct. 22-Nov. 5, 2005,

March 10 - April 14, 2006. natchezpilgrimage.com

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Weekend Crafts Demonstrations Each weekend, March thru October, Miss. craftsmen and artisans demonstrate their talents free to the public at the following locations: Jackson-Saturday only; Chimneyville Crafts Gallery, Mississippi AG Museum. Ridgeland-Saturday and Sunday; Mississippi Crafts Center on the Natchez Trace Parkway. 601-981-0019. www.mscraftsmensguild.org

______________________________________________________________________________________

Community At A Glance

Actor's Playhouse Non-profit performing arts theatre for children and youth. 121 Paul Truitt Lane, Pearl. Take I-20 East to Airport Road. From the exit ramp, turn left onto Airport Rd. At Hwy 80, turn left. Travel approximately 1.4 miles and turn right on Paul Truitt Lane. (Look for the Paul Truitt Baptist Church sign.) Actor's Playhouse is near the end of the street, on the left. 601-664-0930. SthrnActor@aol.com

Agriculture and Forestry Museum 1150 Lakeland Dr. 601-713-3365. Mon.-Sat. 9-5, Sun. 1-5 p.m. mdac.state.ms.us lnstar.com/agmuseum

Alamo Theatre 333 N. Farish St., 601-352-3365.

Applause Dance Factory 242 Stephens St., Ridgeland, 601-856-6168. applausedancefactory.com

Arts Alliance of Jackson 255 E. Pascagoula St. 601-960-1557.

Ballet Magnificat! 5406 I-55 N. 601-977-1001. balletmagnificat.com

Ballet Mississippi 201 E. Pascagoula St. 601-960-1560. balletmississippi.com

Belhaven College Center for the Arts 835 Riverside Dr. 601-968-5930, tickets 601-965-7026.

Belhaven College Bessie Cary Lemly Gallery Hood Library, Belhaven. 601-968-5948. belhaven.edu

Black Rose Community Theatre 103 Black St. Brandon, 601-825-1293. blackrosetheater.com

Brick Street Players Clinton, Old Clinton Jr. High auditorium on Fairmont Dr. across from MC. 601-925-9285. clintonbrickstreetplayers.com

Cactus Plantation 1088 Champion Hill Rd. Edwards. 601-852-2705.

The Cedars Historic Home 4145 Old Canton Rd. in Fondren.

The Center Players Old Madison Station Elementary Auditorium, 2109 Main St. 601-933-0445. centerplayers.net

Choctaw Used and Rare Books 926 North St. (off Fortification) 601-352-7281.

Clinton Nature Center 617 Dunton Rd., Clinton. 7 a.m.-sunset. Walking trails. 601-926-1104. clintonnaturecenter.org

Support Jackson Arts The Collective, a community group dedicated to improving Jackson, meets to plan and support the arts. 601-672-6307. jxncollective.org

Crossroads Film Society and Festival Year round indie films, parties, filmmaker workshops. Festival April 2006 at Parkway Place Theatre. 601-359-3347, 601-969-1055. crossroadsfilmfest.com

Doc * 36 Skatepark 931 Hwy. 80 West. 601-985-9797. Fri.-1-10p.m., Sat.-10-10, Sun.- 1-7p.m. Mon.-Thurs.-12-9 p.m. doc36skatepark.com

Equality Mississippi Statewide Steward of Lesbian and Gay Equality. 601-936-7673. equalityms.org

Fondren Theatre Workshop 601-982-2217. fondren.org

Fondren Renaissance Foundation 601-981-9606. fondren.org

Jackson Astronomical Association Meets at the Salvation Army Headquarters, 1450 Riverside Dr. Jackson, at 7:30 p.m., the 1st Friday of each month. www.jacksonastro.org

Jackson Irish Dancers 601-592-9914. jacksonirishdancers.org

Jackson Rage Basketball 601-853-6716. ragebasketball.com

Jackson Senators Baseball Smith-Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Dr., 601-362-2294. $4+ jacksonsenators.com

Jackson Zoological Park 2918 W. Capitol St. 601-352-2580. jacksonzoo.com

LeFleur's Bluff State Park 2130 Riverside Dr. (I-55 at Lakeland Dr.) 601-987-3923.

Lemuria Bookstore 4465 I-55, Banner Hall, 601-366-7619. lemuriabooks.com

Lewis Art Gallery Millsaps College, 3rd floor of the Ford Academic Complex. 1701 N. State St. 601-974-1431.

Maddrama Theater Company Margaret Walker Alexander Research Center, Jackson State University. 601-454-1183. maddrama.com

Madison County Cultural Center for the Arts 2109 Main St., Hwy 463 at Hwy 51. 601-853-0291.

Manship House 420 E. Fortification St. Free. 601-961-4724. mdah.state.ms.us

Marie Hull Gallery Hinds Community College, Raymond. 601-857-3275.

Millsaps Community Enrichment Series Over 80 Non-credit courses with no prerequisites, no homework, and no tests. Beginner and Intermediate levels. Meet once a week, Mon.- Sat., day and night classes, for the winter and spring. $30-$150 per class. The 1 day to 6 week classes cover a variety of interests in art, music, business, personal development, language, literature, fitness, computers, dance, home and garden, Wine, ballroom dancing, painting, pottery/ceramics, photography, Tai chi, Pilates, belly dance, yoga, learning vacations and more. 601-974-1130 for brochure. millsaps.edu/adltlrn

Mississippi Arts Commission 239 N. Lamar St. Suite 207, Downtown Jackson. 601-359-6030. arts.state.ms.us

Mississippi Arts Email Announcement/Discussion Group

Mississippi Art Colony 888-452-5332. msartcolony.com

Mississippi Academy of Ancient Music 103 Magnolia St., Edwards.

601-852-4848 (nights/weekends), 601-977-7782 (weekdays). revolvingpaintdream.com/ancientmusic

Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education 101 Carrie Rd., Hattiesburg. 601-268-6996. msartsalliance.com

Mississippi Braves Baseball Pearl. Mon-Sat Games start at 7 p.m. Sun. 2 p.m. through June. Sun. 5 p.m. begins July 1. 601-932-8788. mississippibraves.com

Mississippi Center for Justice 736 N. Congress St. 601-352-2269. mscenterforjustice.org

Mississippi Coliseum 1207 Mississippi St., Box office 601-353-0603, Ticketmaster 601-355-5252.

Mississippi Craftsman's Guild 1150 Lakeland Dr. Jackson. 601-981-2499, 601-981-0019. mscraftsmensguild.org

Mississippi Public Broadcasting Public Television and Radio, 3825 Ridgewood Rd. 601-432-6565. mpbonline.org

Mississippi Museum of Art 201 E. Pascagoula St. 601-960-1515. msmuseumart.org

Mississippi Opera 877-MSOPERA. msopera.org

Mississippi Petrified Forest Flora, Miss. Everyday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 601-879-8189. mspetrifiedforest.com

Mississippi Puppetry Guild 1927 Springridge Rd. 601-956-3414. mspuppetry.com

Mississippi School for the Arts Brookhaven, is a free, residential state school providing advanced arts education in theatre, visual arts and vocal music for artistically gifted and talented 11th and 12th grade students across Mississippi. Now accepting applications from sophomores, available upon request. 866-672-7871 to schedule a presentation for interested students in your school or community. www2.mde.k12.ms.us/msa/htm/Admission.htm

Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum 1152 Lakeland Dr. 800-280-3263, Mon.-Sat. 10-4 p.m. msfame.com

Mississippi Symphony Orchestra 800-898-5050. msorchestra.com

Municipal Art Gallery 839 N. State St. 601-960-1582. Tues. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (free) city.jackson.ms.us

Museum of Natural Science LeFleur's Bluff State Park, 2148 Riverside Dr. (I-55 at Lakeland Dr.) 601-354-7303. M-F 8-5 p.m., 9-5 Sat., 1-5 Sun. $4, $3 seniors, $2 children 3-18. mdwfp.com/museum

Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience 3863 Morrison Rd., Utica. Textiles, Photos, Judaica. 601-362-6357. msje.org

Mynelle Gardens 4736 Clinton Blvd. 601-960-1894 Mon.-Sat. city.jackson.ms.us

New Stage Theatre 110 Carlisle St. 601-948-3533. newstagetheatre.com

Old Capitol Museum of Mississippi History Free. 100 S. State St. at Capitol. 601-576-6920. M-F 8-5 p.m.; Sat. 9:30-4:30 p.m.; Sun. 12:30-4:30 p.m. mdah.state.ms.us/museum

One Life Incorporated Local nonprofit organization dedicated to improving communities of
color. 601-956-5200. onelifeinc.org

Polarity Dance Theatre 601-366-4201. polaritydance.org contact@polaritydance.org

Powell Museum 129 E. Ash St. 601-352-7261.

Primrose Path Theatre Richland Community Center, E. Harper Drive, behind the Wal-Mart on Hwy 49 South, Richland. 601-420-1576. richlandms.com/civicgroups_primrosepath.php

Rails To Trails longleaftrace.org railtrails.org

Rainbow Whole Foods Co-Op 2807 Old Canton Rd., Fondren, 601-366-1602.

Russell C. Davis Planetarium 201 E. Pascagoula St. 601-960-1550. thedavisplanetarium.com

Smith Robertson Museum and Cultural Center 528 Bloom St. 601-960-1457. city.jackson.ms.us

Terry Station Players Terry Railroad Depot, downtown Terry. East of the I-55 Terry exit. 601-878-5980, 601-878-5446.

Thalia Mara Hall 255 E. Pascagoula St., Kessler Series/Box Office 601-960-1535, World Performance Series 601-968-0090. thaliamara.org kesslerbroadway.com

USA International Ballet Competition June 17-July 2, 2006. Two-week "Olympic-style" competition where tomorrow's ballet stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals; cash awards; and scholarships. Thalia Mara Hall. 601-355-9853. usaibc.com

Vicksburg Back Alley Players L. Spangler 601-636-3185, K. Woo 601-636-0134. backalley.39180.com

Vicksburg Blues Society vicksburgblues.com

Vicksburg Theatre Guild Parkside Playhouse, 101 Iowa Ave. 601-636-0471. e-vtg.com

Vicksburg National Military Park 3201 Clay St. 8-5 p.m. daily. $5 per car. 601-636-0583. nps.gov/vick

Submit Listings To : events@jacksonfreepress.com

Herman Snell

www.revolvingart.com