Weekend Ticket: Valentine’s Day gala, events headline weekend

Published 12:10 am Thursday, February 13, 2014

NATCHEZ — Love will be in the air this weekend as Miss-Lou residents have a few options to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Temperatures are forecast to start rising Friday and are expected to reach a high of 63 with little chance of rain.

Vidalia concert

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Jordan Bennett will perform in concert “Love Changes Everything!” at 7 p.m. today at the Concordia Bank and Trust in Vidalia.

The event is free and open to the public.

Bennett starred at the Shubert Theatre in Los Angeles in a world premiere presentation of the new musical, “Masada.” He also appeared at the Shubert in “Les Miserables.”

Valentine’s Day gala

The Natchez Festival of Music Guild will host its sixth annual Valentine’s Day gala, which will feature a New Orleans-based musical duo known for its jazz standards and cover tunes.

The gala, which will be at 7 p.m. Friday, will be hosted at The Bailey House, the home of Dr. Jack and Linda Rodriguez.

Vocalist Melanie Gardner and guitarist Daniel Schroeder will entertain those attending the gala.

The Melanie & Daniel musical duo of New Orleans was formed in 2010 and has played at bars, restaurants, weddings and private parties throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida and Alabama.

The duo performs everything from jazz to pop.

The gala will also have a live auction by auctioneer Rusty Jenkins featuring a variety of items up for bid.

Elegant hors d’oeuvres provided by Susanna Sharp of Aunt Suzie’s Catering will be served, and ticket prices include spirits and wine at an open bar. The Bailey House is located at 400 S. Commerce St.

Tickets are $100 per person or $95 each if purchased as a couple. Tickets can be purchased through Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at 601-446-6631, 1-800-647-6742 or at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center at 640 S. Canal St. Visit natchezfestivalofmusic.com for more information.

Festival board member Stephanie Butts said tickets are available and can be purchased at the event as well.

“We feel like we’re going to have a really nice number of people there,” Butts said. “It’s going to be great.”

Friday forum

This week’s topic includes representatives discussing efforts to recognize veterans in the Miss-Lou.

The program will feature Kenneth Rushing of the Miss-Lou Veterans Village, John Hays of U.S. Senior Vets and Dr. Tim Lea of Co-Lin Veterans Services.

Rushing said he will talk about the results of the Point In Time count, which aimed to get a better picture of how many people are homeless in the area.

A more accurate census of homeless people, Rushing said, could be used to apply for funding for homeless resources from private and government programs.

“We’ll be talking about those results and explain to them how they can get involved in helping veterans,” Rushing said. “I’ll bring up a number of things employers can do to provide assistance to veterans.”

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

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 Stine Lumber on U.S. 61.

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

Basics of iPhone class

Stephen Collins will lead a class titled “Basics of iPhone” from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday for residents wanting to get tips and techniques on using their iPhones.

The class is free and open to the public and will be hosted at the Ferriday library.

Those interested should call 318-757-3550 to register.