Mississippi Humanities Council

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

Imagining for the Future: Mississippi History and Culture Bicentennial Celebration at Delta State University
2017-10-04 - 2017-10-06
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 (America/Chicago) | 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
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
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

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.

Screening of Prehistory to Present: Photo Stories and Walkable Galleries
2017-09-22 | Wilkinson County Park Meeting Hall

Lower Delta Talk Series
2017-09-19 18:30 - 19:30 | 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

Monday Movie Nights at the Delta Blues Museum presents Cadillac Records (2008)
2017-09-18 20:00 - 22:00 | Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Alley , Clarksdale , MS , 38614
Loosely based on the story of Chess Records, the film focuses on the record label that gave birth to numerous Mississippi blues artists including Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon and others. The museum will also showcase a collection of cigar box guitars during this month.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating – each screening will start at approximately 8:00pm.
This is apart of the monthly outdoor film series, “Monday Movie Nights: Celebrating Mississippi’s Music History and Heritage,” that reflects the state’s rich musical heritage in light of the Bicentennial. A brief discussion and/or “Question and Answer” session will be held prior to each screening, providing the audience context as to the movie’s connection to Delta Blues music as well as background on the importance of the film and its time and place in cinematic history.

Mantachie Fest: Celebrate with the Itawamba County Bicentennial Committee
2017-09-16 08:00 - 2017-09-17 17:00 | Mantachie Town Park, Mantachie, MS, 38885, United States
Celebrate Mississippi’s Bicentennial with the Itawamba County Bicentennial Committee!
Spend time with your family while enjoying an evening of festivity and food that will include a fried catfish dinner with Mississippi farm-raised catfish, a Blues band performance, and a patriotic display showcasing Elvis and his ties to Itawamba County to
celebrate the State’s contributions to the world of music.
There will even be a fireworks display to commemorate the Bicentennial year at the end of the evening.

Project Heal Natchez
2017-09-14 - 2017-09-17

Chickasaw Celebration
2017-09-14, 2017-09-12 08:00 - 17:00
The Chickasaw Inkana Foundation will host Chickasaw Celebrations consisting of some cultural demonstrations from the Chickasaw Nation such as traditional crafts, language, dancing, storytelling, and stickball in North MS towns of New Albany, Amory, Tupelo, and Holley Springs.
September 12th
September 14th

MISSISSIPPI ENCYCLOPEDIA EVENT
2017-09-11 17:00 - 18:00 | Mississippi University for Women – Fant Memorial Library, 1200 5th Ave S, Columbus, MS, 39701, United States
A discussion and reading of The Mississippi Encyclopedia, followed by a signing and reception.

Max FM 94.1 WYAD 3rd Year Anniversary and Celebration of the History of Black DJs
2017-09-09 17:00 | Mt. Vernon M.B. Church, 137 W. Canal Street, Yazoo City, MS, United States
Join as WYAD Max 94.1 FM extends their 3rd Anniversary Celebration to include a celebration of the history of black DJs in Yazoo County!
Plans for the Concert & Program include:
Pastor Jerry Jones and the Fantastic Jones Family
The Canton Southernaires
Cyrus Webb, host of Conversations LIVE
Chandra Wise, host of the Inspirational Power Hour Tributes to Yazoo’s Black DJs
The project “Celebrating the History of Black DJs in Yazoo City” honors the contributions of trailblazers in radio that influenced radio and music in Yazoo City and throughout the state.

HealthWorks! Family Fun Bicentennial Festival
2017-09-09 10:00 - 12:00 | HealthWorks!, 219 S. Industrial Road, Tupelo, MS, 38801, United States

200 Years of Family Fun
2017-09-09 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.

Speakers Bureau: The ABCs of Making a Documentary Film: From Concept to Creation
2017-09-09 09:00 - 10:00 | JA Canteen, Duncan Park, Natchez, MS
The ABCs of Making a Documentary Film: From Concept to Creation de-mystifies the creation of a documentary film. LaFrancis, award-winning producer, creator, and director, uses humor, actual projects, and a tremendous amount of personal experience to help beginning and intermediate documentarians not only conceptualize, but create their projects. This is a lively, fast-paced, in-depth program with loads of Q&A time.
As a veteran of 23 years (active duty during the Vietnam War era and Air National Guard) and as a writer for more than 30 years, LaFrancis is professionally and personally qualified to offer what is a moving and unique presentation. LaFrancis has more than 25 years experience as a professional speaker and presenter, particularly on the topics of creative writing and journalism. With the war ever-present in our lives, his presentation of the experiences of the soldiers and their loved ones will enlighten and engage a wide range of audiences.

Levitt AMP Hattiesburg Music Series presents LEE BRAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES
2017-09-08 19:00 - 22:00 | Chain Park, Hattiesburg , MS
Join in the Fun
Bring your lawn chair and enjoy Mississippi’s musical culture on Friday evenings this summer with the Levitt AMP Hattiesburg Music Series! This is apart of a 10-week music series taking place at 7pm at Chain Park during July, August and part of September (final dates and performers TBA).
Chain Park will open at 5:00 pm on the day-of-show so you can get the best seat possible!
Selected to be one of 15 Levitt AMP Music sites across the nation, Levitt AMP Hattiesburg will bring the community together through high-quality, family-friendly music, representative of Mississippi’s unique culture.
Oh, and did we mention that Levitt AMP Hattiesburg has been designated as an official Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration?

Mississippi Encyclopedia Event: Delta Blues Museum
2017-09-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Delta Blues Museum, 1 Blues Alley , Clarksdale , MS , 38614

Award Winning Young Adult Author Margaret McMullen Visit/Reading
2017-09-06 11:45 - 13:00 | Lighterknot Community Kitchen, Wiggins, MS, 39577, United States
Award Winning Young Adult Author Margaret McMullen will be presenting and sharing on Sept. 06th. She notably uses MS as the landscape for her many books!
Sept 6, 11:45am
The Lightered Knot Community Kitchen
*Bring lunch to share.
*Free and open to the public.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of SC Libraries in conjunction with the Pass Christian Bookstore-Celebrating MS’ Bicentennial with support from the MS Dept of Archives and History and the MS Humanities Council.

Mississippi Bicentennial Heroes Mural
2017-09-04 - 2017-09-07 | Stone County Education Center, Corner of Broad & First Streets, Wiggins , MS, 39577, United States
Citizens are invited to come by and watch the journey.

Mural artist Kym Garraway will be painting the MISSISSIPPI BICENTENNIAL HEROES MURAL on the south wall of the Stone County Education Center (corner of Broad and First Streets) September 4-8, 2017. Stone High art students and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College art students will also be assisting.

Heritage Day at the Old Tishomingo County Courthouse Museum
2017-09-02 10:00 - 16:00 | Old Tishomingo County Courthouse Museum, 203 E Quitman St, LUKA, MS, 38852, United States
Activities will include historical tours, Chickasaw Indian Expo and “The Arm Chair Chair Genealogist” award presentation
