Mississippi Museum of Art Through July 17, the The Orient Expressed: Japan’s Influence on Western Art, 1854-1918, will be on display at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson. Visitors to this eleventh exhibition in The Annie Laurie Swaim Hearin Memorial Exhibition Series will learn about the cultural phenomenon known as Japonisme, through the presentation of more than 200 works of art from the 19th and early 20th centuries. First identified by French art critic Philippe Burty in 1872, Japonisme became a worldwide movement that deeply impacted the visual arts. The resulting influence of these pieces on the visual and decorative arts as well as architecture, music, theater, literature, graphic design, and even fashion was overwhelming and continues to this day. For more information, visit msmuseumart.org or call 1-866-VIEW ART. The museum is located at 380 South Lamar Street, Jackson.
Bridal Show Simply Amazing Weddings & Events will host a Spring Bridal Show from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at the Laurel Conference Center, formally the Ramada Inn, in Laurel. There will be a fashion presentation featuring the newest gowns,veils and accessories. All brides will be admitted at no charge and the first 25 brides to register will receive a gift bag. Admission at the door is $5. Many door prizes will be given away including cake samples and more.
Mardi Gras 2011 Though it’s traditionally a French celebration, Mardi Gras is the biggest party in America and kicked off this year on Jan. 6 with things winding up on March 8 or “Fat” Tuesday, the last day of the Carnival season. Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the day on the Christian calendar before Ash Wednesday
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and the beginning of Lent. It's known as "Fat" Tuesday because of the tradition of indulging in rich, fatty foods on the last night before the season of fasting begins. Even though there is only one Mardi Gras day, Mardi Gras season begins weeks earlier – as early as November in some places – so you'll find parades, parties, and delicious Mardi Gras fare starting long before Fat Tuesday. A trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras is a bucket list-worthy pilgrimage for young adults looking for the party of a lifetime. Although you find signs of Mardi Gras all over New Orleans no matter when you visit, the real concentration of Mardi Gras events happens in the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. The first parades of the 2011 Mardi Gras season began on Feb. 19, but the schedule really picks up steam beginning one week before Fat Tuesday, so if you want to be in New Orleans for the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations, plan to arrive in the first week of March, and stick around through March 8. See parade schedule, Page 6.
Beautiful Basics Series The Beautiful Basics Series, sponsored by Forrest General’s Spirit of Women, continues in 2011. All events are held at Hattiesburg Country Club beginning at 11:30 a.m. Cost to attend is $15 for Spirit of Women members and $25 for non-members. Lunch is served. Upcoming programs in the series include: March 9, Garden Gorgeous – Presented by Thomas E. Eaves, Registered Landscape Architect. April 13, Fashion Forever – Presented by local personality Chalie Rae and Phillip Pitts, owner of Parris Jewelers. May 11, Travel Talks – To be announced.
At the Saenger... American Family Theater presents Beauty and the Beast at 3 p.m. March 12. Enjoy your favorite childhood story through the magic of live musical performances as American Family Theater presents Beauty and the Beast at the Hattiesburg Saenger Theater. Watch as Beauty fights to save her father while finding the meaning of true beauty and love within the Beast himself. Known for wholesome and entertaining presentations of favorite childhood stories that are suited for the entire family, American Family Theater performs on more than 300 stages each year. Tickets to Beauty and the Beast range in price from $10 to $12 and are available at the
Saenger Theater Box Office (601.584.4888) and online at HattiesburgSaenger.com. The Lamar County Jr. Miss Pageant, now known as the Distinguished Young Woman program, is set for March 19
Irish-Italian Festival St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church is once again hosting a myriad of activities in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. A fun run, parade, mass and festival, complete with good music and good eats will take place March 18-19 at the church located on the fringe of the Southern Miss campus. The Irish/Italian Parade is set for the morning of March 19 along Fourth Street. There is no entry fee, so come and be a part of the activities. King is Jeff Hammond of USM and queen is Sister Carmelita Stinn, SFCC. Forrest Co. Sheriff Billy McGee will reign as grand marshal. Father Tommy Conway will preside over activities.
Festival of Flowers – Mobile In 16 years, 150,000 visitors have been amazed by the grand floral displays and life-sized gardens at the Festival of Flowers in Mobile, Ala. The 18th Annual Festival of 2011 promises to be the largest outdoor flower show in the Southeast – a true one-ofa-kind experience! "All Things Bright and Beautiful" is the theme guiding the spectacular displays of the 2011 festival. Gardening takes on a new dimension as nature reveals delightful ways to give pleasure to the senses. The Festival of Flowers is acknowledged as the premier flower and garden event of the greater Gulf Coast. The Festival takes place during what is perhaps Mobile's prettiest month, with trees leafing out and bloomers displaying their splendor. It is arrayed under tent and sky with over 300,000 square feet of exhibits that enchant, entertain, and educate visitors at this feast for all the senses. Proceeds from the 2011 Festival of Flowers will benefit Providence’s Cardiology Dept. with the purchase of advanced EchoVascular technology. This year’s show takes place Thursday, March