Visit Vicksburg

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May 2008

Thru June 8		“Backyards and Beyond: Mississippians & Their Stories - the first year after Katrina” is a nationally touring art exhibit premiering March 8, 2008 at the Mississippi Arts Center in Jackson . This exhibit is a nonprofit arts organization presentation featuring 80 moving environmental portrait paintings by Mississippi social realist and Vicksburg resident, H.C. Porter, paired with personal audio narratives from her subjects. The exhibit also includes floor installations and video. Two and a half years in the making, this nationally touring, mixed media exhibition celebrates the adaptability and strength of spirit of Mississippians in the 12 months following our nation's largest natural disaster. Porter beautifully weaves the faces and voices of diversity with the commonalities of loss and hope. An interactive exhibition that is certain to educate and inspire through the merging of art, history, and humanity … a total immersion experience that is truly unforgettable! The Exhibit will be open at the Mississippi Arts Center through June 8, 2008, Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday, 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free, however, donations for Mississippi Gulf Coast recovery are encouraged. For additional information, please call 601.960.1500 or visit us at www.backyardsandbeyond.org. The Mississippi Arts Center is located at 201 E. Pascagoula Street in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. From Interstate 55, take the Pearl Street Exit (Exit 96A) into downtown Jackson. Turn left at Lamar Street. The Museum is located two blocks south at the northeast corner of Lamar and Pascagoula Streets. For individualized directions, please use the interactive map below.Located in downtown Jackson's Arts District, the he Mississippi Arts Center is next door to the Russell C. Davis Planetarium, the Mississippi Museum of Art, Thalia Mara Hall (City Auditorium), the new Telecommunications & Convention centers, and within walking distance of the Old Capitol Museum, & the War Memorial Building, all significant educational and cultural attractions in the heart of the capital city.
3		Play-A-Day-In-May-A-Way – Food and games for the whole family on the campus of Vicksburg Catholic Schools, 1900 Grove Street. Contact Chad Sonnek at 601-630-9762 for more information, or email sonnek@vicksburgcatholic.org or visit www.vicksburgcatholic.org

7		Lorelei Books features Shellie Rushing Tomlinson signing “SUCK YOUR STOMACH IN AND PUT SOME COLOR ON” . . . What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters That the Rest of Y’all Should Know Too. The way they dress. The way they talk. The way they cook. The way they flirt. What is it that Southern women have that other women don’t? Southern mamas, of course! In SUCK YOUR STOMACH IN AND PUT SOME COLOR ON: What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters That the Rest of Y’all Should Know Too (Berkley Trade Paperback Original; $14.00; May 6, 2008) Shellie Rushing Tomlinson, host of All Things Southern, reveals the all-important lessons Southern Mamas teach their daughters. Readers will discover:• Why blue eye shadow is trashy • Regional dialect like the Southern Mama APB, a bulletin translated on southern streets as: “Give your heart to Jesus, girl, because your butt is all mine!” • How to age gracefully• Southern recipes like hot water cornbread and Jalapeno hush puppies• How to keep a marriage fieryAnd much more!Shellie carefully breaks down the teachings behind manners and social graces through her first-hand observations and dry wit. Chock full of southern wit and wisdom, woven with quotes from real Southern Mamas and sprinkled with other southern secrets, this book’s a bona-fide celebration of all things south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Tomlinson is owner and publisher of the website All Things Southern and host of a daily radio show and weekly TV segment by the same name. She and her husband, Phil, live and farm in the Louisiana Delta. Lorelei Books showcases works by favorite regional authors. The shop is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Shoppers can reach the owners at any time by phone - 601.634.8624 –or by e-mail - loreleibooks@wave2lan.com or visit the website at: www.loreleibooks.com.
May 8		Photography Workshops with Camilla Calnan Hand-coloring Photographs - Thursday, May 8 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Calnan will share techniques for tinting photographs. Cami will bring a hand-printed, black and white art print from her own collection for each student to work on and take as a souvenir. Students are encouraged to bring a photo (black and white work best) that they would like to add color to (any finish will suffice). Students will be working with Marshall Oils, watercolor pencils and pastels. They will discuss and try different approaches to tinting and toning. Techniques for sealing and preserving tinted photos will also be discussed. Each student can bring a photo they would like to handcolor-not a requirement. Cost of the workshop is $30/SCHF members and $35 for non-members. Reservations are required. Please contact the SCHF office at 631-2997 for more information or to make reservations. Camilla Calnan is a Vicksburg native and professional photographer with 14 years experience. Her work is currently being sold at Art and Soul of the South and the Cinnamon Tree. Cami currently operates a studio in Asheville, North Carolina.
9-11 and 16-18		The Vicksburg Theatre Guild's production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde. In this well-known comedy, a young man invents an irresponsible younger brother named Earnest, whom he pretends to be when he is out of town. Then he falls in love with a young lady who loves the name Earnest. Performances will be May 9-11 & 16-18. For more information, visit www.e-vtg.com or call 601-636-0471.
10		Mother/Daughter Look-a-Like Contest at Pemberton Square Mall. Contestants judged on physical look-a-like characteristics. For more information, contact Renee Williams, 601-634-0823.
11 and 13 (tentative)		Auditions for the Vicksburg Theatre Guild's production of “Gold in the Hills” by J. Frank Davis, the Guinness Book of World Records longest-running Melodrama. Auditions at the Parkside Playhouse are tentatively scheduled for May 11 and 13. Performances will be July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26. For more information, visit www.e-vtg.com or call 601-636-0471.
13		Vicksburg Chamber Choir Spring Concert at First Presbyterian Church, 1501 Cherry Street, 7:30 p.m. “Bach ~ to~ Bernstein” The Vicksburg Chamber Choir, under the direction of Sharon Penley will present its Spring Concert, " BACH ~ to~ BERNSTEIN ", at 7:30 PM, Tuesday, May 13th, 2008, in the Sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church, at 1501 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS . The Choir will perform J. S. Bach's Cantata #4 and Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms in their original languages and will be accompanied by Barbara Tracy (organ), Denise Ragsdale (piano/synthesizer) and an ensemble of brass, string and percussion. There is no charge and the public is encouraged to participate in this special musical event. Donations will be welcomed at the conclusion of the program.
23-26		Memorial Day Weekend Sales at The Outlets at Vicksburg. Sidewalk sale on Saturday, May 24, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
24		St. Aloysius High School Graduation,10 a.m. at the Vicksburg Convention Center. For more information contact Michelle Townsend, Principal, 601-636-2256 or michele.townsend@vicksburgcatholic.org.
24-25		200th Anniversary Celebration of the Birthday of Jefferson Davis, sponsored by the Vicksburg and Warren County Historical Society. Dr. Lynda Crist, editor of the Papers of Jefferson Davis, will be the guest speaker at a banquet held at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation auditorium on the evening of May 24, with music by Lester Senter Wilson. The Eight Georgia Regimental Band will perform on the lawn of the Old Court House Museum, free to the public on the afternoon of June 24.
May 30-June 1		Vicksburg Swim Association - Stamm Family Invitational Swim Meet at the Vicksburg City Pool. Come watch more than 300 competitors in this annual event.