Contact: Kay Fike Jones
Seven musical acts, including Mississippi State students and a Tupelo native, will perform Sept. 20 at the university's first Festival of the Arts.
Sponsored by campus radio station WMSV and student-staffed Music Maker Productions, the day-long event at the university Amphitheater will serve as a fundraiser for arts and music programs in area public schools.
"The idea of this 'Festival of the Arts,' grew out of a desire by our student volunteers at WMSV to adopt a public service organization and do everything we could to assist them," explained Steve Ellis, WMSV general manager.
"What better public service than the education of our children and the arts and music programs that are so often neglected when it comes to funding?"
Activities get under way at 10 a.m. with music, dance and choral groups from schools in Oktibbeha and Lowndes counties. Their part of the program concludes at 3 p.m.
The professional acts take over the stage from 5 p.m. until midnight. They include headliner Dan Bern, Catie Curtis, Pierce Pettis, Lucy Kaplansky, Paul Thorn of Tupelo, Lisa McCormick, and "Deep Greens," a band composed of Mississippi State students.
In addition, artwork from area students will be on display inside the open-air arena near the intersection of Lee and Bully boulevards.
A $10 ticket allows access to all the day-long entertainment, including some outside the Amphitheater.
"We will ask everyone to leave the Amphitheater from 3 until 5 p.m. while the musicians conduct a sound check," Ellis said. "However, outside entertainment will be provided during this time for those waiting to get back in."
Food vendors also will be set up outside the facility. "We're asking people to bring soft-drink coolers and lawn chairs and help support our area public schools," Ellis said.
In keeping with state and university rules, alcohol is not allowed on campus. Enforcement of the no-alcohol ban will be strictly enforced, Ellis said.
In case of rain, the festivities move into Lee Hall auditorium.
For more information, contact Ellis at (601) 325-8034.