Weekend Ticket: Fundraisers and plays highlight weekend

Published 12:08 am Thursday, August 23, 2012

NATCHEZ — School is officially back in session, and there are plenty of ways to relax and enjoy what should be a beautiful weekend.

Back-to-school barbecue

Natchez High School classes from 1927-1961 and Margaret Martin Junior High School classes 1962-1985 are having a barbecue fundraiser and reunion from 7 to 10 p.m. to help restore the cafeteria in the Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center.

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A tour of the building will be start at 6:30 p.m. There will be music, a sock hop and cash bar.

Admission is $25. For more information call Tony Byrne at 601-446-7175 or Rena Jean Schmieg at 601-446-8280.

“Alice in Wonderland”

Opening at 7:30 tonight, Natchez Little Theatre starts its new season with “Alice in Wonderland.”

Director Layne Taylor describes the production as a “tasteful adaptation” of Lewis Carroll’s tale set in the “psychedelic 1960s.

Taylor Spring is playing Alice, and Ryan McGaughey is the white rabbit.

Taylor said 1960 fashion will be on display as well as a wide range of musical artist such as Pink Floyd, The Doors and Jefferson Airplane.

Showings will continue at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday with a final Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15, and reservations can be made at www.natcheztheatre.org or call 601-442-2233 for more information.

Joshua Rodgers gospel showcase

Former BET’s “Sunday Best” contestant Joshua Rodgers will be performing a gospel showcase at the Vidalia Conference & Convention Center at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Ononeaccord Promotions of Vidalia is sponsoring the showcase, and organizer Charita Hooper said the showcase is an event with a positive message parents can bring their children to for family fun.

“It is something different and something positive, and people should want their kids to be involved in things like this that are positive,” Hooper said.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling Hooper at 318-562-9013, Kejuane Bates at 601-870-9290 or Beverly Metcalfe at 318-719-4350.

St. Jude benefit

The Castle Restaurant will host its seventh annual St. Jude Benefit dinner and live auction at 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $60 with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For more information or to place a reservation, call 601-446-8500

Movie night

Armstrong Library is showing “The Hunger Games” beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The movie is free to the public, and popcorn and soft drinks will be served.

Forum anniversary

The Natchez Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its first full year of the Friday Forum at 8 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Coffee Company.

This week’s speakers are the new chamber members from the last year.

They will talk about their businesses, products and plans for the future.

Natchez Coffee will provide refreshments.

Friday football

High school football continues with Trinity Episcopal Day School hosting rival Centreville Academy and Adams County Christian School hosting Hillcrest at 7 p.m.

Natchez High School travels to Fayette to take on Jefferson County High School at 7:30 p.m.

Best of the Best Rodeo

The Heritage Dodge Best of the Best rodeo is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Wayne Johnson Covered Arena on Mound Road.

The is $5 on Friday and Sunday and $8 on Saturday. For more information call Punchy King at 601-443-7000.