Lights, camera, action! The second annual Clarksdale Film Festival will take place on January 26-29, 2012.  Join in on this 4 day festival and delight in great southern films, music documentaries and much more! 

The three different categories of entries include feature film, more than 30 minutes and less than 140 minutes; documentary, more than 30 minutes and less than 140 minutes; and short films, which are more than 3 minutes and less than 30.

Tickets are $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass and are available for purchase at Delta Cinema.  Screening locations are at Delta Cinema and other venues around historic, downtown Clarksdale.  See the entire schedule listing here and make sure you don’t miss a film that is on your “must see” list!  In between films, check out some of the great local shopping!

If music and comedy are something you enjoy, then you won’t want to miss out on the performance of Forever Plaid by the Vicksburg Theatre Guild. 

Forever Plaid is a musical comedy of a “quartet of high-school chums, and their earnest dreams of recording an album, ended (symbolically, and even literally) in death, when their cherry red ’54 Mercury collided with a bus filled with Catholic schoolgirls on their way to see the Beatles’ American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. The girls were fine. The play begins with the wondrous and wondering Plaids returning from the afterlife for one final chance at musical glory.”  21 songs will be performed. 

This musical comedy is written by Stuart Ross and directed by Paul Ballard at the Parkside Playhouse.  Show times are January 20-21, 27-28 at 7:30pm and January 22 and 29 at 2:00pm.  Tickets are $5 for children, $7 for students, $10 for seniors and $12 for adults.  Get your tickets here and enjoy a musical flashback to the 1950s!

Rubber Soul, a Beatles tribute band, will take the stage at the McCain Theatre in Meridian, Mississippi, tomorrow, January 19^th.  Performances not only include top hits from the Beatles, but they also recreate much of the same visual imagery, sound, and excitement.

Formed in 2001, the band named after a favorite Beatles album has increasingly grown in popularity.  Stage banter is done with British accents and costumes range from the black turtlenecks and jeans favored by the Fab Four in their early days at Liverpool’s Cavern Club to the famous velvet-collar suits as seen on that famous Ed Sullivan show in 1964.

The show is from 7:00pm- 9:00pm and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.  Transport yourself back in time for this fabulous night of Beatles hits!

A Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event, Dream 365 is a five day event that will bring thousands of people together to honor Martin Luther King, Jr. in Columbus, MS on January 12-16, 2012.  This celebration is a time when many will rededicate themselves to the principles of freedom and justice and will also serve to raise scholarship funds for deserving students in the local area through the MLK literacy program. 

Festivities kick off on Thursday night with Jazz & Spoken Word, poetic tributes and performance with live jazz music featuring Muzik In Action.  This event is being held at the Rosenzweig Art Center from 6:00pm-9:00pm and tickets are $10.

The Unity Stepshow will be on Friday at the Trotter Convention Center and will showcase high school and college steppers performing with a dedication to the civil rights era.  The show begins at 7:30pm and tickets are $10.

Community Service Day will begin at 9:00am on Saturday and is a free event open to the public.  After a hard day of work, relax with Laughter for the Soul, a comedy show starting at 8:00pm at the Trotter Convention Center.  Tickets are $10.

On Sunday you can enjoy the Dream 365 Gospel Spotlight Spiritual Evening of Praise & Worship.  This event is free to the public and starts at 5:30pm at the Trotter Convention Center.  This will be an evening of reflection of the contributions made in the past.

The MLK Breakfast 50^th Anniversary Tribute to James Meredith will be from 8:30am- 10:00am on Monday at the Trotter Convention Center.  Otis Moss III is the keynote speaker and honors and awards will be given out during the breakfast.  Tickets are $15.

For more information and to purchase tickets, call (662)-855-1MLK (1655).

Find your true love in Mississippi this year!

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Click here to enter and for official contest rules.

It’s not too early to start making New Year’s Eve plans!  Wherever you may be, Mississippi is ringing in 2012 in style!

In Horn Lake, there will be a New Year’s Celebration and Ball Drop at Latimer Park.  Festivities begin at 8 PM and there will be music, food, fireworks and fun.  This evening event is suitable for the whole family.  After a late night, don’t worry about being too tired to drive home as hotel rooms are available at the nearby Ramada Limited or Best Western Plus.

You can ring in the New Year at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi at their New Year’s Eve Celebration.  The party is at the Hard Rock Live and is from 9 PM- 2 AM and there is a $30 cover.  Trade in your coat for a cape, and rock on like a superhero while enjoying live music from Nervous Presley and DJ Hurricane Lloyd.  The cost is $30 and you must be 21.  Check out The Ledge to see Victor DJ preform from 9PM- 2AM.  The cost is $35.  There will be a champagne toast and a midnight balloon drop.  Hotel rooms are available within the Hard Rock.

The 4^th annual Having A Ball Downtown New Year’s Eve block parting is taking place in Columbus.  The evening starts off at 9PM and last until after midnight.  You can purchase a wristband for $10, giving you access to the block party, an entry into a drawing for $500, and special promotions at local downtown businesses.  You will also have a chance to win a Budweiser fire pit and one of six outdoor grills.  Live music by the Scavengers starts at 9:30PM.  As the clock approaches midnight, watch the ball drop to bring in the New Year.  Crafted by Glenn Machine Works, the ball is lit with over 100 lights, is ten feet in diameter, and will descend from over 100 feet in the air.  This is a night you won’t want to miss!  Hotel reservations can be made at the Comfort Inn or Days Inn.

No matter what you choose to do, we want to wish everyone a very happy and safe New Year’s Eve!

The Ballet Magnificat’s 25^th Annual Snow Queen performance will take place in Jackson at the Thalia Mara Hall this December 16-18.  This full-length professional ballet production is perfect for people of all ages.  Inspired by Hans Christian Anderson, the world premier of “Snow Queen” is a story of faith powered by the strength of God and challenged by the schemes of the world. 

The show begins at 7:00pm on Friday, 3:00pm on Saturday, and 2:00pm on Sunday.  Tickets range from $10-$30 and there are discounts for groups of 10+.  Get your tickets here!  Dance the night away as Alpha and Omega Companies presents this show stopping performance!

This Delta is ready to celebrate the holidays this weekend!  Horn Lake is excited about the holidays and welcomes everyone to partake in some very special holiday events.  Tonight at the M.R. Dye Library, there will be a 12 Days of Christmas Sing-Off.  This night of musical wonder is from 5:30 pm- 7:30pm and is part of the Live Arts Performance Series that runs through April.  There is a pot luck dinner following the performance, so bring your favorite dish to share.

On Saturday, December, 10, Horn Lake will host its annual Christmas parade.  The parade draws spectators from miles around and this year’s festivities promise to make your holiday season merry and bright!  The parade will kick off at 7:00 pm and will begin at Fire Station No. 1 on Tulane Road and proceed south to Latimer Lakes Park.  The Candy Land Christmas Market will be set up for Christmas shopping and festivities at the park.

For those traveling from out of town, hotel accommodations can be made at the nearby Best Western or Drury Inn & Suites.  Reserve your room now so you don’t miss out on any of the holiday cheer!

Get ready for a night of fun at the Branson Style Christmas Musical Celebration on December 6^th and 13^th.  Performing guests include Bill Clark, Andrew Ishee, Jerry Puckett and other special guests.  This wonderful night of musical entertainment, humor, fun, and surprise is at the Sparkman Building in the Mississippi Ag Museum in Jackson.

Bill Clark is a well-known singer, humorist, and pianist.  His talent comes from a lifetime of learning and preforming.  Check out www.andresishee.com to hear music and learn more about Andrew Ishee, a phenomenal pianist and entertainer.  Jerry Pucket is a multi-talented singer, guitarist, songwriter, and producer who always puts on a great show.

The show starts at 1:30pm and lasts ‘til the fun is over.  Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  To purchase your ticket in advance, make checks payable to Bill Clark and mail to: Bill Clark, 218 Azalea Court, Brandon, MS 39047.  Make sure to indicate if you will be attending the December 6^th or 13^th performance.  Your tickets will be waiting for you at the door on your selected date.

You won’t want to miss this “Musical event of the season!”

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, could be the most popular shopping day of the year among bargain shoppers.  Stores are opening their doors earlier than ever this year, some even as early as Thanksgiving night. If you are looking to get a good deal and jump start your holiday shopping, follow our guide and get the best bargains in Mississippi.

The Outlets at Vicksburg are opening their doors at 11pm on Thanksgiving night and will be running specials throughout Black Friday until 9pm.  Show up early and you have a chance to win a 42” 3D TV, $250 shopping spree, and an iPad2. See a full list of exclusive store specials and offers here.  This is the perfect shopping venue for anyone who will be traveling to Central Mississippi.

Northpark Mall in Richland will open its doors at 4am on Black Friday, which leaves just enough time to get in few hours of sleep before you start your shopping.  Deals and discounts are offered at many participating stores.

If you are spending your Thanksgiving near the coast, head over to the Gulfport Premium Outlets to start your Black Friday shopping.  Stores will open at 10pm on Thanksgiving night for the Moonlight Madness Sale.  Be one of the first 200 shoppers in line at Shoppers Services and you will receive a free $10 Tanger Gift Card.  The first 100 shoppers in line at 2am will receive a $20 Tanger Gift Card.  Check out the full list of Black Friday specials here.

The Bonita Lakes Mall in Meridian is celebrating Black Friday again this year.  The doors open at 4am and anyone that arrives between 4am-12 noon will receive a free gift.  Some stores such as JCPenny will open as early as 3:30am.  

Wherever you decide to venture for your Black Friday shopping, make sure that you get plenty of rest, pack some snacks, and wear comfortable shoes!  Take a load off your feet at the end of your long shopping day and book your hotel room before it’s too late!