Mississippi Humanities Council

Lower Delta Talk Series
2017-10-17 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Sharkey Issaquena County Library, 116 Robert Morganfield Way, Rolling Fork, MS, 39159
The Lower Delta Speakers Series includes a variety of folks who will speak on a topic of interest each month, topics that tell great Mississippi stories focused on our region of the Mississippi Delta and that help explain the important role the Delta plays in regards to the entire state of Mississippi. Some of the topics included in the 2017 will include People and their Stories, History, and Culture, Food and the Outdoors.
August 15th- James Matthews
September 19th- Richard Grant
October 17th- Cathy Shropshire
November 14th- Willy Bearden

Fulton Cemetery Historical Stroll
2017-10-15 | Fulton Cemetery, Fulton, MS, United States
Come find out more about Fulton’s past through experiencing one of its historic treasures: the Fulton Cemetery.
Local historians will give an introduction to the history of the cemetery. Guests can then take a “historical stroll” through the cemetery and visit with those buried there! (Volunteer reenactors will be dressed in period costumes, detailing interesting facts and stories at their respective tombstones.)

Mississippi's Craft Heritage Event
2017-10-14 10:00 - 17:00 | Mississippi Craft Center, 950 Rice Road , Ridgeland , MS , 39157

Coahoma Community College's MS Delta Tennessee Williams 25th Anniversary Celebration
2017-10-13 - 2017-10-14 | Clarksdale Historic Downtown District
Coahoma Community College is combining a celebration of Mississippi’s Bicentennial with the Tennessee William’s 25th anniversary in an innovative showcase of Mississippi and Clarksdale’s diverse histories that influenced its native son and great America playwright.
Friday, October 13th–Tour of Clarksdale’s Downtown Historic District
This tour will feature lectures by local scholars as well as site visits and plays.

A Celebration of Southern Photography
2017-10-12 18:00 - 21:00 | University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg , MS - Mississippi, 39406
This fall, in a special series of events titled, “A Celebration of Southern Photography,” The University of Southern Mississippi will host a lecture by renowned Southern studies expert Dr. William R. Ferris, as well as two exhibitions on campus and a special issue of The Southern Quarterly. The Vicksburg native will give a talk on Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. in Gonzales Auditorium, Liberal Arts Building 108 on the Hattiesburg campus of Southern Miss, which will be followed by a reception and book signing at 7 p.m. in the Gallery of Art and Design in the George Hurst Building. The Gallery exhibition, Portraits of Southerners: Photographs from The Do Good Fund, will be open through Nov. 3. Prior to the Ferris lecture, Cook Library Art Gallery will host an opening reception and book signing for Mississippi Landscapes: Places in the Land from 4-5:30 p.m. All events in this celebration are free and open to the public.
The work of several Mississippi artists will be featured in the Mississippi Landscapes: Places in the Land exhibition in Cook Library Art Gallery. Visitors will enjoy photographs of landscapes from Ashleigh Coleman of Jackson, Thomas Pearson of Hattiesburg, Euphus Ruth of Greenville, David Wharton of Oxford, Brooke White of Oxford and Malcolm White of Jackson. Each artist demonstrates his or her personal vision of–and reverence for–special places across Mississippi’s remarkably broad and varied landscape. The Cook Library Art Gallery exhibition will run through Dec. 12 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Images in the Portraits of Southerners exhibition have been chosen from the Do Good Fund’s collection of southern photography. Since its founding in 2012, the Georgia-based charity has focused on building a museum-quality collection of photographs taken in the American South since World War II. According to their website, Do Good’s mission is “to make its collection of over 400 images broadly accessible through regional museums, nonprofit galleries and nontraditional venues, and to encourage complementary, community-based programming to accompany each exhibition.” The exhibition, sponsored by the Department of Art and Design and College of Art and Letters is open during normal gallery hours, Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. through Nov. 3.
William Ferris’s lecture, “The South in Color: A Visual Journey,” will open the Portraits of Southerners exhibit and will surely interest Southern culture enthusiasts near and far. Ferris, a widely recognized leader in Southern studies, African American music and folklore, is the Joel R. Williamson Eminent Professor of History at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the senior associate director of its Center for the Study of the American South.
The Ferris lecture is co-sponsored by the College of Arts and Letters, the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage, the Center for the Study of the Gulf South, The Southern Quarterly, the Department of Art and Design, University Forum, the Arts Institute of Mississippi and the Mississippi Humanities Council.

MS 200 Songwriting Contest Performance
2017-10-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Trotter Convention Center, 123 5th Street North, Columbus, MS, 39701
Come watch area musicians perform their songs to vye for “Best Mississippi Song” at this public concert with food and beverages.
The concert is the conclusion of a songwriting contest done in conjunction with Main Street Columbus.

MPB Broadcast of "The Parchman Ordeal: The Untold Story"
2017-10-08 14:00 - 17:00 | MS
The 56-minute documentary will air at 2 p.m. Oct. 8, on MPB Television. See more information here

Voicing Joplin
2017-10-07 19:30 - 22:00 | Thalia Mara Hall, 255 E Pascagoula St, Jackson, MS, 39201, United States
Performance of Scott Joplin’s opera “Treemonisha,” about the importance of education, centered on the life of a young former slave woman in the late 19th century who rallies her people to appreciate the value of education, featuring full orchestra on stage, a star-studded cast of national/local singers, and the choirs of Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Mississippi College.

Cora Norman Lecture: Ibram X. Kendi
2017-10-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Jackson Planetarium, 201 E. Pascagoula St., Jackson, Mississippi
We are very excited to announce that we are bringing National Book Award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi to deliver our Cora Norman Lecture on October 7th at the Jackson Planetarium!

Neshoba County Red Clay Hills Bicentennial Celebration Picnic
2017-10-07 11:00 - 14:00 | Northside Park, Hwy 15 N, Philadelphia, MS, 39350, United States
The Neshoba County Red Clay Hills Bicentennial Picnic in Philadelphia, MS featuring 200 years of historic artifacts, fashion, and music from the Fair City Chorale, country music from the Neshoba Musicians Guild and Jeff Stewart with Southbound, and Mississippi Humanities Speaker, Joan McLemore (presenting “They Lived in Mississippi”). Food by the Junction!

*This is a part of a once-in-a-lifetime Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration Series in Neshoba County, Mississippi, USA!

HealthWorks! Family Fun Bicentennial Festival
2017-10-07 10:00 - 12:00 | HealthWorks!, 219 S. Industrial Road, Tupelo, MS, 38801, United States

200 Years of Family Fun
2017-10-07 10:00 - 12:00 | HealthWorks!, 219 S. Industrial Road, Tupelo, MS, 38801, United States
A celebration of the history of play in Mississippi. Children and their families will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities that they can enjoy at the center and beyond.

“Caching” in on Laurel’s History
2017-10-07 08:00 - 2017-10-09 17:00 | Laurel Welcome Center, 401 Central Ave, Laurel, MS, 39440, United States
Geocaching event to engage local fourth and eighth graders with 20 historic sites important to Laurel and Jones County history.

Gala Concert
2017-10-06 19:30 - 21:30 | MS
World Premier musical works created by Mississippi composers
Guest artist Jimmy “Duck” Holmes and The Rising Star Fife and Drum Band

Carrollton Pilgrimage and Pioneer Day Festival (featuring the new Carrollton Walking Tour App)
2017-10-06 09:00 - 2017-10-07 17:00 | Carrollton Town Hall/W, 701 Lexington Street, Carrollton, MS, 38917, United States
Come and tour our beautifully preserved antebellum homes and churches, including the famous Cotesworth! Cotesworth is the home of former United States Senator, J.Z.George. Cotesworth is one of the main locations used in the movie “The Help”.

After your tour, come and join us on the courthouse square for food, music, educational and product tents.

All Historic Homes, Churches
and other Buildings will be open on
Friday, Oct. 6th, & Saturday from 9 am – 5 pm

Adult Tickets $25.00
Student Tickets (grades 1-12) $10

PIONEER DAY FESTIVAL, Saturday | 9am – 5 pm
information at Pilgrimage Headquarters (THE HEADQUARTERS WILL BE IN THE TOWN HALL/WATER DEPARTMENT
ACROSS THE STREET FROM OUR HISTORIC COURTHOUSE.)

EDUCATION EXHIBITS
TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS
FOOD VENDORS
LIVE MUSIC

Poetry Slam
2017-10-05 20:00 - 22:00 | MS
Student-written poetry with Mississippi themes

Art Speaker Robin Whitfield
2017-10-04 18:00 - 20:00 | MS
Artist and Audubon Master Naturalist; Founder of the Friends of Chackchiuma Swamp Natural Area

Mississippi Visual Arts Juried Student Show
2017-10-04 - 2017-10-31 | MS

Imagining for the Future: Mississippi History and Culture Bicentennial Celebration at Delta State University
2017-10-04 - 2017-10-06 | MS
Three-day celebration of local culture and history, including a poetry slam, juried art show and public lectures, culminating with a public music performance featuring newly commissioned works by Mississippi composers, as well as Mississippi musicians performing a retrospective of Mississippi music.

Speakers Bureau: The Importance of Wearing Shoes
2017-10-03 19:00 - 20:00 | South Mississippi Genealogy & Historical Society, 307 2nd Ave , Hattiesburg , MS
With the identification of hookworm disease in early twentieth century Mississippi, physicians were finally able to identify the characteristic apathy, potbellies, laziness, and general malaise of their numerous patients as indicative of a specific medical condition. Rather than blame the symptoms on socio-economic status, the medical community in the state now could explain the reasons for and the methods of hookworm disease eradication. The impact of this disease and others on Mississippi’s development is an interesting and relevant study which adds to the understanding of Mississippi’s history and culture.
Deanne Stephens Nuwer is Associate Professor of History at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Celebrating the Legacy of West Jackson's Pioneers
2017-10-02 | COFO Building, 1017 J.R. Lynch St., Jackson, MS
The COFO Mural & Mt. Olive Cemetery project aims to celebrate the rich history of prominent African Americans who have made substantial gains for the state of Mississippi. Individuals who have direct linkages to the West Jackson Community will be featured on the COFO Mural and those persons who final resting place is in Mt. Olive Cemetery will also be highlighted through these programs.
The COFO Mural will feature James Meredith, Fannie Lou Hamer, Aaron Henry, Margaret Walker Alexanders, John R. Lynch, Jessie Mosley and others.
The program will document, interpret, and explore the lives of individuals who are pictures on the mural or buried in the cemetery. These programs will also celebrate our states rich and diverse history, while reflecting on the African American’s experience and highlighting their resiliency.

MISSISSIPPI ENCYCLOPEDIA EVENT: Starkville
2017-09-29 16:00 - 18:00 | Book Mart & Cafe, 120 E Main St, Starkville, MS, 39759, United States
A discussion and reading of The Mississippi Encyclopedia, followed by a signing and reception. Speakers will include scholar James Giesen and Senior Editors Ted Ownby and Charles Reagan Wilson.

Speakers Bureau: Why We Call It Soul Food
2017-09-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, 507 Market Street , Port Gibson , MS, 39150, United States
“Why We Call It Soul Food” tells the story of why southerners, especially African American southerners, call the foods we eat “soul food.” Dr. Willis discusses the emotional and physical aspects of soul food as it relates to our culture and history. She also discusses the bonds attached to the growing, nurturing and preparation of these foods as it relates to our culture and way of life in the South.
Brinda Willis is a writer for the Jackson Advocate newspaper and an expert on blues and African American foodways.

Comfort My Soul: A Celebration of Gospel Music in Southwest Mississippi & Beyond
2017-09-29 09:00 - 2017-09-30 16:00 | MS
Come enjoy this two-day gospel music conference and festival celebrating Mississippi’s Bicentennial during the National Gospel Music Heritage Month.
Both days will feature an eclectic mix of performances, workshops, oral histories, speakers, and heritage food will both educate and entertain local residents, students and scholars, and gospel music enthusiasts on the history and role of gospel music over the course of the state’s existence.
Times:
Friday, 09/29 9am-4pm & 7pm-9pm
Saturday, 09/30 9am-4pm

Delta Health Center: America's First Rural Community Health Center and the Struggle for Racial Equity
2017-09-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Delta State University, 1003 W Sunflower Rd, Cleveland, MS, 38733, United States

Classical Week 2017 Lecture: "Laughing with the Romans: Plautus Onstage"
2017-09-28 14:00 - 17:00 | MS
Mississippi State University annual event, sponsored by The Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. See more information here!

Take A Journey Through the Soul of American Music @ the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi
2017-09-26 11:00 - 20:00 | GRAMMY Museum Mississippi, 800 West Sunflower Rd, Cleveland , MS, 38732, United States
11:00AM – Educational program for students grades K-12 in the Sanders Soundstage
1:00PM – A Conversation with Charlie Musselwhite centered around John Lee Hooker in the Sanders Soundstage
6:30PM – Live performance on the front lawn – free admission

GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi presents a live performance experience based on the award-winning film and record, “Take Me To The River”, that brought
together multiple generations of iconic Memphis and Mississippi Delta musicians to record a historic new album and re-imagine the utopia of racial, gender and generational collaboration of Memphis (Stax, Hi Records) in its heyday.
This historic show features a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see legends William Bell (2017 GRAMMY® Award winner), Bobby Rush (2017 GRAMMY Award winner), and Charlie Musselwhite (2013 GRAMMY Award winner) share the stage and perform classics and new “Take Me To The River” collaborations. Backed by an ALL-STAR Memphis band, the event includes the Hi-Rhythm Section (27 Gold and Platinum records, All of Al Green’s classics) and GRAMMY Award winner Boo Mitchell, award-winning director and GRAMMY nominee Martin Shore, alumni from the STAX Music Academy, and special appearances from Academy Award winner Frayser Boy and Critics Choice Award winner Al Kapone. Before the performance, artists will discuss the importance and history of Mississippi music and how this region laid the foundation for American music.
In addition to a live performance, there will be an educational program for students plus a conversation with Charlie Musselwhite.
Collectively, these programs at GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi are an official bicentennial project made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the Mississippi Development Authority. Support for these programs also comes from the International Delta Blues Project which is housed in The Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University.

Austen Film Series in The Welty Garden: Becoming Jane
2017-09-23 18:30 - 21:30 | MS

Women of Mississippi on Film
2017-09-23 17:00 | Locals Restaurant & Bar, 309 North Lamar, Oxford, MS, United States
The Oxford Film Festival and Sarah Isom Center are teaming up to celebrate the image of the Mississippi women in the Centennial celebration. With 6 films as part of the monthly series, the two will screen a film and then lead a panel discussion about the main female protagonist in each film and the interpretation of the female in Mississippi through the context of the film. Panelist are Jamie Jarker, Melanie Addington and Theresa Starkey.
July 22nd
August 19th
September 23rd

A Time Gone By: History at The Oaks
2017-09-23 10:00 - 11:00 | The Oak House, Jackson , MS, United States
“A Time Gone By: History at The Oaks” is a film project and a series of four programs about the history of Mississippi and the local history of one of the few private, extant, antebellum residences in Jackson. Presented by The Oak House Museum to celebrate Mississippi’s bicentennial year, this project will bring experts to the circa 1853 house to discuss the people and history of our state and to expand the public’s understand of topics including the legacy of slavery in Mississippi and The Oaks as home to a middle-class family-the Boyd Family-in the capitol city during the mid-to-late nineteenth century.
