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Natchez Mississippi Events
January 2008 - December 2008
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Many rich, enjoyable and memorable experiences await you in Natchez, MS.
Mississippi is home to a culture and a river that have influenced works of art, writing, and song for generations. Experience this unique combination while chasing your desires or just relaxing to fine southern comfort.
Historic Natchez can bring a touch of the Old South into your next vacation. While the Historic Antebellum Houses of Natchez stand center stage in the attractions, Natchez has an outstanding cast of co-stars including the whole of the downtown area, an architectural phenomenon of which The Devereaux Shields House is part. The Natchez area is particularly rich in historic plantations, beautiful Antebellum and Victorian homes and Bed & Breakfast retreats, all allowing visitors a view of earlier times. Natchez is a wonderful destination whether you plan to go out and see the local sights, enjoy rich history in side trips around Natchez, or just stay in and enjoy each other. Nothing is as romantic as the Deep South, where you can experience this unique southern culture while also rekindling your romantic desires.
The Devereaux Shields House offers you several travel packages to help you enjoy Natchez activities held throughout the year.
Click here to view our Getaway Packages!!
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Year Round - VISIT NATCHEZ BEAUTIFUL ANTEBELLUM HOMES
Location: Natchez Area
Many Magnificent Natchez Mansions are open year round for touring. Year round services provided by Natchez Pilgrimage Tours include: Bed & Breakfast Reservations, Group Tour Accommodations, Antebellum Home Information, Daily House Tours. Homes normally available for tour include Auburn, Longwood, Magnolia Hall, Rosalie, Stanton Hall, Monmouth, and Melrose. Make your reservations with the Devereaux Shields House early, as we are always booked during peak periods.
Visit Their Web Site: http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com/ or call Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, 800-647-6742
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Year Round - 60th SEASON OF NATCHEZ LITTLE THEATRE (August 07-July 08)
Location: Natchez Little Theatre, 319 Linton Ave in Historic Natchez
The 60th Season offers lot's of entertainment with an incredible variety of theatre classics; comedies, a mystery, musicals, a drama, an original Christmas production, and the 5th Annual Stan Dean Ovation Gala and 4th Annual Summer Youth Workshop. Visit Their Web Site for more information: http://www.natchezlittletheatre.org
Make your play reservations with the Devereaux Shields. We are Corporate Sponsors.
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60th Natchez Little Theatre (NLT) Season (Aug 2007 – July 2008)
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Performance
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Dates
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Summary
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Grease
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2-5 Aug 2007
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A musical, set in 1959 in fictional Rydell High in Chicago, takes its name from the working-class youth subculture known as the greasers and focuses on the romance between two high schoolers. It tackles many social issues includes themes such as love, friendship and teenage rebellion. Grease opened 1972 with a revival in 2007.
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Mississippi Medicine Show
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29 Sep –
14 Oct 2007
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A recreation of old steamboat times set in mid 19th century when traveling shows pedaled their miracle cures up and down the mighty Mississippi River with the top talent of the day. Classic spirituals and popular songs of the Civil War are performed in period costumes and feature the wit and wisdom of Mark Twain. An original NLT production entertaining thousands since 1976.
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Steel Magnolias
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8 -11 Nov 2007
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A comedy-drama about the bond among a group of six southern women and their life experiences in northwest Louisiana. The main storyline involves two of them, with the underlying group-friendship among all six women prominent throughout. The original stage production opened in1987 and the play made its official Broadway debut in 2004 with the cast including Delta Burke.
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A Natchez
Christmas Carol
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7-9, 11,
14-16
Dec 2007
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A play set in once prosperous post-Civil War Natchez with period Christmas music and costumes and focusing on the owner of a cotton brokerage and bank. Ebenezer Scrooge has profited greatly by repossessing plantations and businesses; putting out war widows and orphans; and taking advantage of newly freed slaves. Scrooge is visited by ghosts that try to show him the errors of his ways. An NLT original premiered in 2004 and aired on MS PBS.
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Ten Little Indians
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24-28 Jan 2008
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Agatha Christie's best selling mystery of ten strangers, each hiding a terrible secret, who are lured to a secluded island off the British coast. The tension and intrigue mount as guests are killed while striving to solve the mystery of who is the killer. Enough clues for amateur detectives, funny moments and clever twists add to the anticipation, dramatic power and entertainment of the play.
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Native Son
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22 Feb 2008
Only one performance
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A play based on Richard Wright’s landmark novel about racism, class and economic inequality. The story is of a young black man living in Chicago's South Side with his mother, sister and brother. He is hired as a chauffeur by the wealthy family who owns the rat-infested building in which he lives, and befriended by the family's daughter. The rhythms of his life are indifference and violence, brooding and desire, silence and anger, and a sense of freedom.
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Southern Exposure
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8-14 Apr 2008
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A Broadway play by Owen Crump. It is a romantic comedy set in the 1950s Natchez Pilgrimage and about a once beautiful Southern belle, horrified by the tourists, and her struggle to keep her home from the clutches of the “damn Yankees.” It is a visitor favorite for over 50 years and one of our community theatre’s longest running plays about the ultimate story of Natchez.
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Sound of Music
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29 May –
1 Jun 2008
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A Tony and Oscar Award winning musical and the final musical written by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This is a story of Maria, a woman studying for sisterhood, who is sent to be a governess to the seven children. The children’s widowed father Captain Von Trapp is a decorated WWI captain in the Austro-Hungarian Navy, and an Austrian patriot. Maria wins the family’s hearts by teaching them the joy of song, and finds herself falling in love with the stern Captain. The two scheme for the family to escape over the mountains so the Captain can avoid serving the Third Reich
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5th Annual Stan Dean Awards Gala
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13 July 2008
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A gala celebrating the best of the 60th Season and held in the Ballroom of the Natchez Enola Hotel.
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January - February 2008 - NATCHEZ MARDI GRAS CELEBRATION
Location: Natchez Area
Mardi Gras...the mere mention of these two words convey thoughts of: raucous celebrations, beads flying through the air, ear-to-ear grins plastered on the faces of millions of revelers, and of course floats parading through the streets! Join the Fun!
* January 25 – 6 PM Mistic Krewe of Alpheus Mardi Gras Parade - The theme for 2008 Mardi Gras is "The Lifestyles of the Rich and Fabulous." Join us in the downtown streets of Natchez, enjoy the revelry of a night parade with lighted floats and catch some Mardi Gras beads!
* January 26 – Mistic Krewe of Alpheus Mardi Gras Grand Ball - Music provided by “The Andy Smith Band”! Open Bar provided. Presentation of the Royalty is at 8:30pm. The theme for the Grand Ball is “The Lifestyle of The Rich and Fabulous”$35.00 per person for non-members, 8:00pm until 1:00am held at The Natchez Community Center. Contact Dr. Michael Puddister (601) 442-0006 (day), (601) 445-9041 (evening).
* February 1 – Krewe of Phoenix Mardi Gras Parade - 4:00pm Downtown Natchez. Contact Curtis Moroney(601) 446-705
* February 2 - Krewe of Phoenix Grand Ball - $50.00 per person, 8:00pm at The Natchez Convention Center. Contact Shanna Pollard (601) 442-9199.
The first Mardi Gras in North America occurred under French rule in 1704. By order of King Louis XIV a colony was built a few miles up the Mississippi and designated the area as: Point du Mardi Gras as part of their efforts to defend their territories, which included the areas that now represent: Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Mardi Gras, which in French translates to Fat Tuesday, is officially the day before Ash Wednesday, but has evolved from one day into week long celebrations.
Every parade in a Mardi Gras celebration is sponsored by a Krewe. While there are literally dozens of Krewes, each with their own rules and traditions, there is a general framework that binds them together: each Krewe must hold a parade which includes floats or bands; they have to hold a ball; and most importantly they have to have the Mardi Gras celebration be its main purpose.
Mardi Gras today is about various cultures coming together to celebrate the things that make them unique and uniting under the common theme of being people who like to have fun and enjoy each other and have a great time. Hence the phrase, "Let the Good Times Roll"!
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February 20-24, 2008 - 19th NATCHEZ LITERARY & CINEMA CELEBRATION
Location: Natchez Area
This year's theme is Richard Wright, the South, and the World: A Centennial Celebration. A full agenda of sessions and events are planned. Wright was born in 1908 near Natchez and went on to worldwide fame as an author of such block busters as Native Son and Black Boy. His daughter, Julia Wright of Paris, France, a scholar and author, will be keynote speaker. The agenda includes other speakers, films, a dramatic version of Native Son, special meals, a tour of sites related to the Wright family, writing workshops, an awards ceremony, book signings, and more. Most of the event is FREE because of funding from four sponsors and the Mississippi Humanities Council. Sponsors are Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Natchez National Historical Park, Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
Visit Their Web Site http://www.colin.edu/nlcc/ for information about the NLCC, its Advisory Board, Agenda of Events, Ticket prices, William Winter Scholarships, Vance Fellows, NLCC Richard Wright Award, Horton Foote Award, News Releases, and the ongoing Richard Wright Reading Series Jan-Dec 2008.
Contact: Carolyn Vance Smith (Founder & Co-chairman) at E-Mail carolyn.smith@colin.edu or phone (601) 446-1208.
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February 2008 - VICTORIAN VALENTINES AND SCRAPBOOKS
Location: Rosalie Mansion, D.A. Biglane at Canal Street
Original 19th Century Valentines and scrapbooks from the Rosalie mansion will be displayed throughout the mansion. Daily 9:00am – 4:00pm
Contact: Rosalie Mansion (601) 445-4555 or www.rosalie.net
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March 8 - April 12, 2008 - 76th NATCHEZ SPRING PILGRIMAGE
Location: Natchez Area
Plan on attending the 76th Natchez Pilgrimage. Make your plans to come to Natchez in 2008 for some or all of the following events!
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Events
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Summary
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Historic House Tours
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Mornings 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Afternoons 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Twenty-five (25) antebellum mansions, many of them private residences, open their doors to visitors during this five-week Pilgrimage every spring. Hostesses in period costumes welcome visitors to four houses each morning and four each afternoon. The selection of tour houses changes each morning and each afternoon throughout the Spring Pilgrimage. A four-house tour pass is $28 per person. A three-house tour pass is $21 per person (children 17 and under, half-price).
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Historic Natchez Pageant
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Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 8:00 p.m.
This brilliant musical production, depicting scenes of the Old South, transports audiences to the days of long ago. So faithfully does this pageant recreate a romanticized era that the Historic Natchez Pageant has become as famous as the old Natchez houses. Presented by over 200 local performers in elaborate period costumes. Admission $15. (children 17 and under, half-price).
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Natchez Music Festival
Songs of the South
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April 7,8,10,11,12, 8 pm at the New Covenant Presbyterian Church
Stephen Foster, Traditional Spirituals, Gershwin, and more. Admission $15.00
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Southern Road to Freedom
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March 8 - April 12, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 8:00 p.m. (no shows March 20 & 22). A stirring musical tribute by the Holy Family Choir to the African-American experience in Natchez from the colonial period to the present day. Admission $15.00
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Natchez Little Theatre
Southern Exposure
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Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 8 pm.
Natchez' own hilarious spoof on the homes, homeowners and tourists of Pilgrimage. Admission $15.00. See our description of the Natchez Little Theatre (above) for a more details.
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Visit Their Web Site: http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com/ or call Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, 800-647-6742
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April 18-20 2008 - NATCHEZ BLUES FESTIVAL
Location: Downtown Natchez, Rosalie Mansion and Vidalia Riverfront
This year’s festival theme is Remembering the Rhythm Club, and is a weekend long house party with multiple venues.
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Performance
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Date
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Location
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Summary
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Festival Downbeat
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Friday April 18 Noon
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Vidalia Riverfront
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Free lunchtime concert
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Mississippi Blues Trails Marker Dedication & Reception
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Friday April 18 6pm
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Main Street, Downtown Natchez
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Free dedication & reception paying tribute to the victims of the Rhythm Night Club fire of 1940
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Evening Club Shows
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Friday & Saturday
April 18 & 19
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Natchez & Vidalia
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Evening club shows. Some clubs charge a small cover fee.
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Main Festival Event
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Saturday April 19 Noon - Until
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Rosalie Gardens, $10, children under 12 free
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Featuring a number of Blues Acts performing on the Natchez Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.
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Blues Brunches
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Sunday April 20
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Downtown Natchez & Vidalia Riverfront
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Blues Brunches will round out the Festival
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Contact: Eric Glatzer (601) 660-2792 or eglatzeerL@aol.com or Rosalie Mansion (601) 445-4555 or http://www.visitnatchez.com/
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April - December 2008 - 18TH SEASON OF NATCHEZ MUSIC FESTIVAL
Location: Natchez Area
The 18th Season of The Natchez Festival of Music offers outstanding performers, performances, and a wide variety of musical and artistic opportunities for the entire family. See our summary below and their website for more information http://www.alcorn.edu/opera/index.htm.
Make your reservations with the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours as many performances sell out early.
Email: visit@natchezpilgrimage.com
Ticket information: Online at http://www.natchezpilgrimage.com
Ticket information: Phone: 601-445-6103 or 1-800-647-6742
Buy all four main event tickets and receive a 10% discount
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Performance
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Dates
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Location
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Summary
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Songs of The South
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Dates 7,8,10, 11 & 12
April 2008
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New Covenant Presbyterian Church, 130 Homochitto($15)
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Experience the music of Stephen Foster, Traditional Spirituals, Gershwin and more!
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An Evening of Musical Cabaret
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8PM Sat
3 May 2008
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Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center ($25 Adults, $5 Children)
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The Truth about Love...and the Usual Lies and G Train the Musical
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Spiritual & Gospel Extravaganza
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8PM Sun
4 May 2008
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St Mary Minor Basilica (Free, Donations)
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Featuring The Alcorn State Concert Choir
Dr. David Blackburn, Conductor
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Symphony of Gardens Tour
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1-5PM Fri & Sat, 2 & 3 May 2008
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12 Town & Estate Gardens
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A self-guided tour of the finest private gardens in Natchez. Musical performances by professional artists who are participating in the Natchez Festival of Music will take place at a garden each afternoon of the tour.
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An Evening of Piano & Song
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7PM Tues
6 May 2008
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Dunleith, 84 Homochitto Street ($30)
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Featuring Bill Lewis
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Evening of Broadway
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7PM Thursday
8 May 2008
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The Towers, 801 Myrtle Ave ($100)
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An Evening of Broadway featuring Phantom of the Opera
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Night of The Stars
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8PM Fri
9 May 2008
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1st Presbyterian Church, 405 State Street ($20)
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Stars performing major roles present an exciting evening of entertainment, featuring their personal favorite musical selections. Night of Stars is a unique occasion for an intimate experience with our main stage artists.
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Blue Beard’s Castle and
The Telephone
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8PM Sat
10 May
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Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center ($25)
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Featuring Dr. David Blackburn, Conductor
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Plantation Recital @ Magnolia Hall
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4PM Sun
11 May 2008
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Magnolia Hall($20)
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Experience the atmosphere as our forefathers of the Old South when Cotton was King, Natchez was the center of wealth and culture, and wealthy cotton farmers would hire performing artists and invite friends for an evening of entertainment. A male and female artist performs each recital, presenting a wide variety of musical selections, with piano accompaniment in the parlors of an antebellum home
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Concert in the Park
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12Noon Fri
16 May 2008
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Memorial Park (behind St. Mary Basilica) (Free)
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Bring your lunch and enjoy an hour of great Music. Something for everyone.
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Oklahoma!
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8PM
16 & 17 May
2008
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Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center ($25-$55)
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Featuring Dr. David Blackburn, Conductor
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Plantation Recital @ Dunleith
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4PM Sun
18 May 2008
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Dunleith, 84 Homochitto Street ($20)
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Experience the atmosphere as our forefathers of the Old South when wealthy cotton farmers would hire performing artists and invite friends for an evening of entertainment.
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Solo Piano Concert
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