Weekend Ticket: Miss-Lou welcomes pottery ‘rock stars,’ Hollywood magic

Published 12:10 am Thursday, January 16, 2014

NATCHEZ — Learn the art of pottery techniques from experts or get a glimpse of Hollywood magic this weekend in the Miss-Lou.

Sunny skies are forecast for a majority of the weekend with temperatures staying in the 50s.

Concordia Chamber dinner

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The Concordia Chamber of Commerce will host its annual awards dinner and celebration at 6 p.m. today at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center.

The evening will feature three guest speakers — Vidalia Port Director Wyly Gilfoil, Concordia Economic Development Director Heather Malone and local historian Corinne Randazzo — discussing this year’s theme, “A River Runs Through Us.”

Four awards will be presented after the speakers’ presentations: volunteer of the year, male Concordian of the year, female Concordian of the year and business of the year.

Individual tickets to the dinner are $70.

A variety of table sponsorships are also available.

Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served from 6 to 6:45 p.m.

A silent and live auction will also be hosted with auctioneer Barry Maxwell.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 318-336-8223.

Friday forum

This week’s topic includes discussions of the Martin Luther King Jr. program.

The weekly forum begins at 8 a.m. at Natchez Coffee Company.

Potters Council Conference 

Natchez Clay Community Studio will host “Handbuilding III: A Potters Council Conference” Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Eola Hotel.

The event is the first Southern pottery conference by the Potters Council, a nonprofit subsidiary of The American Ceramic Society that works to meet the needs of studio potters and ceramic artists across the nation.

The event’s four featured presenters are Chandra DeBuse, Jeremy Randall, Amy Sanders and Liz Zlot Summerfield, who will discuss a variety of techniques for all skill levels.

Natchez Clay co-owner Donna Jones said she’s worked for several years attempting to bring the conference to Natchez.

“These presenters are like rock stars for hand builders and other clay artists and are very well known across the country,” Jones said. “It’s very exciting for all the clay people locally, but there are other communities in the surrounding area who don’t have a studio or opportunity to attend these types of events.

“There are also people coming from all over, California, Canada, Virgin Islands, New York and more, just for this event.”

Presentations will be from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

To register, call 1-800-424-8698.

For more information or a full schedule of events, visit ceramicartsdaily.org.

Kitten adoption day

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society will host a kitten adoption day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Tractor Supply Company on U.S. 61.

The price of adopting an animal — $35 for two kittens and $25 for one kitten — incudes spaying and neutering costs.

iPad class

The Vidalia branch of the Concordia Parish Library will host a computer class reviewing the basics of an iPad, Apple’s popular tablet computer device.

Stephen Collins will lead the class at 11:30 a.m.

Collins will discuss tips and techniques at the free event.

Those interested in attending should bring their own device along with a login and password for the device if required.

Call 318-757-3550 to register.

Margaret Martin open house

Natchez Festival of Music members are hosting a musical open house from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Margaret Martin Performing Arts Center.

Members are inviting residents to see the temporary renovations made by officials with the James Brown biopic “Get On Up” to the auditorium, which include balconies on both sides of the stage.

“The Natchez Festival of Music would like for everyone to personally experience this Natchez version of the Apollo Theater,” board vice chairman Ginger C. Schwager said. “While the made to our auditorium are not this extensive, we are pursuing funding to make our diamond in the rough a sparkling gem.”

The auditorium was transformed into a version of the Apollo Theater for production.

“Father Walt and the Funky Friars” will provide musical entertainment on the main stage during the event.

The group consists of Father Walton Jones on vocals and keyboards, Terry Trovato on drums, Jamie Blanton on guitar and vocals, Dr. Bruce Scarborough on guitar, Kenny Jones on guitar, Dr. Robert Sizemore on bass and Ernie Moore on fax, flute, harmonica and conga.

The Grape Escape, a refreshment bar at the center, will be open throughout the event where drinks will be served. Local pianist Burnley Cook will also provide musical entertainment.

The event is free and open to the public.