Frigid February Is Hot Month for Arts in South

Temperatures may be hovering around freezing in the south in February, but the mercury is rising in Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama when it comes to the fine arts The first weekend in February marks the 7th Annual Oxford Film Festival (Feb 4-7) in Oxford, MS, home of the University of Mississippi and Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner.

The following is from the OFF web site regarding the Festival:
"Founded in 2003 as a project of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the Oxford Film Festival is an independent non-profit organization committed to celebrating the art of independent cinema. This is accomplished in its annual four-day event (currently in February), which brings films and filmmakers from as far away as Los Angeles and New York to North Mississippi to screen alongside the work of local filmmakers. The festival screens between 75 and 100 films of varying lengths and categories (animation, documentary feature and short, experimental, narrative feature and short), hosts panel discussions on issues in contemporary filmmaking, and invites the filmmakers to interact with the audience at a number of social events. The Oxford Film Festival entertains and educates its participants, providing residents and visitors with the opportunity to watch independent films, as well as to meet the filmmakers and learn from industry professionals. The variety of films, in addition to the panels, attracts filmgoers of all ages and backgrounds."

There is still time to purchase tickets and experience some of the best new films from all over the United States. Tickets are sold in the form of day passes or multi-day passes. For more information call 1-877-560-FILM.

If you live closer to Georgia than you do to Mississippi, you have another option for this weekend. Friday, February 5, is the opening of the Savannah Book Festival in the exotic coastal city of Savannah, GA. Over forty nationally known writers and local best-selling authors from a variety of genres will be present for the Third Annual Savannah Book Festival. Headliners include award winning journalists Roy Blount, Jr and Alabama's own Rick Bragg, novelists. economists, historians, poets, musicians, and  chefs. While you are in that lovely city, be sure to check out the statue of Johnny Mercer which was recently erected in honor of his centennial.

After this weekend, be sure to mark your calendar for the 18th Annual Southern Voices Conference in Hoover, Alabama, just south of Birmingham. The conference always boasts a star-studded cast, and this year the featured guest is United States Poet Laureate 2001-2003 Billy Collins. Other guests include artist Toby Klein, and authors Marc Fitten, Masha Hamilton, Ad Hudler, Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Todd Johnson, and River Jordan. Renowned crime novelist Ridley Pearson will deliver the keynote address, and celebrated Alabama author Diane McWhorter will deliver the closing address on Saturday, and don't forget to have a southern feast at Paula Deen's Lady and Sons restaurant.

Saturday and Sunday evenings R&B musician Ruthie Foster will appear in concert. Separate tickets can be purchased for the evening with Billy Collins on Friday night, February 19, for $25. The Saturday concert with Ruthie Foster is sold out. The Southern Voices Conference is sponsored by the Hoover Public Library. Call 205-444-7888 for tickets to the events.

While you are marking your calendar, fast forward to March and circle the dates March 3-7 for one of the top events in Alabama. You do not want to miss the UNA George Lindsey Film Festival held annually in Florence, Alabama. Watch this site for more details or go to the George Lindsey Film Festival web site. 
 

-----Penne J. Laubenthal

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