Rockin’ events fill up weekend schedule

Published 12:01 am Thursday, April 26, 2012

NATCHEZ — The only complaint this spring weekend should be about the number of choices for a good time.

Mickey Gilley Concert

Ferriday’s son, Mickey Gilley, will perform at the Natchez City Auditorium Saturday following a book signing and induction of two artists to the Delta Music Hall of Fame.

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At 6:30 p.m., doors will open and author J.D. Davis will sign copies of his book, “Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley.”

At 8 p.m., Linda Gail Lewis and Annie Marie Dolan will be on hand to induct Lewis into the Delta Music Hall of Fame.

The concert will begin at 9:15 p.m.

Tickets bought in advance are $25 for general admission and $35 for preferred seating. Tickets bought Saturday will be $30 for general admission and $40 for preferred seating. Tickets can be purchased at the Natchez Convention and Visitors Bureau, Concordia Parish Chamber of Commerce and Delta Music Museum.

Natchez Bluff Blues Fest

More than 29 separate shows will enliven the Miss-Lou for the 17th-annual Natchez Bluff Blues Fest Friday to Sunday in front of the Natchez Grand Hotel at Broadway and Main streets.

In addition to music performances, more than 50 vendors will set up Friday and Saturday for the sixth-annual Spring Market on the Mississippi.

Natchez-bred performers include “YZ” Ealey, Hezekiah Earley and L’il Poochie. Other performers will be Lil Jimmy Red of St. Francisville, Vickie Baker of Monroe, the Cowboy Blues Band of Hattiesburg, the Blues Diamonds & Trigger Finger of Alexandria and Harvey Knox of Baton Rouge.

On Friday, events will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on the bluff, and downtown venues will host other bands starting 8 p.m.

Saturday’s events on the bluff will be from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and area club performances will be from follow.

On Sunday, the Eola Hotel and Biscuits and Blues will host music and brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Mayor Hyram Copeland’s blues Picnic will feature bands and red beans and rice from 1 to 3:15 p.m. for a $10 donation.

For more information on the event, sponsored by the nonprofit Natchez blues Heritage Association call 601-660-2792.

ACSO Rodeo

The second annual Adams County Deputy Sheriff’s Pro Rodeo is coming to town, and cowboys and girls of all ages are invited.

Gates open at 6 p.m., with pre-rodeo activities at 7 p.m. and the event starting at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Wayne Johnson Covered Arena.

Rodeo entertainment will include Clown Rudy Burns, Pigeon Forge and Angola Rodeo regular John Brown and Tennessee Dixie Stampede’s trick rider Dusti Crain. Crain’s tricks will include “fast horses, fire and top-notch showmanship,” an Adams County Sheriff’s Office press release said.

The event will also feature child-friendly activities like a petting zoo, tour of an authentic teepee and an inflatable human hamster water ball.

For adults, other activities include mechanical bull rides, a diamond dig and a climbing wall expo.

Tickets bought in advance the Adams County Sheriff’s Office are $10 for adults and $7 for children.

Tickets at the gate are $12 for adults and $8 for children.

Symphony Home and Garden Tour

The Natchez Garden Club will host Symphony Home and Garden Tour Saturday, which will include tours of local houses and gardens and lunch. A Party for Preservation benefit at the Cedars in Church Hill will end the day.

Morning tours last from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and afternoon tours will be from 1 to 4 p.m.

After a day of touring, the annual NCG Party for Preservation will be at The Cedars in Church Hill, the home of David and Betty Paradise. Sponsors, guests and the public are invited to attend this benefit for the non-profit Preservation Society of Ellicott Hill, whose purpose is to assist the Natchez Garden Club in the preservation of their properties.

Tickets are $50 for the Party for Preservation or $80 for both the tour and the party. For sponsorships and tickets, contact the Natchez Garden Club office 601-443-9065, ntzgardenclub@bellsouth.net.

Pioneer Living History Encampment

The Historic Jefferson College will take guests back to the late 1700s-early 1800s with its first Pioneer Living History Encampment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the college.

Living history enthusiasts from across the state and region will come to the camp and set up demonstration sites to show activities and crafts from the pioneer days.  The public is invited to come out for this free event to talk to the demonstrators.

There will be demonstrations of period engraving, 18th century music, handcrafts and weapons.  Visitors will see knife-and tomahawk-throwing contests, and may even get to learn this skill themselves.

For more information, please contact Toni Avance at 601-442-2901 or tavance@cableone.net.  Historic Jefferson College is located 4 miles northeast of Natchez on U.S. 61.

Boiling on the Bluff

The Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals will host Boiling of the Bluff crawfish boil from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday on the bluff behind Bowie’s Tavern.

Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce at 601-445-4611, Natchez Children’s Home at 601-442-6858 or at the gate. Refillable cups for beer will be available for $10. Soft drinks and water will be free.

JA shrimp boil

The Junior Auxiliary of Natchez will host its 16th annual shrimp boil from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the JA Canteen in Duncan Park.

Tickets for $12 will buy one pound of boiled shrimp, corn and potatoes and can be purchased from a JA member, or at Anruss Salon.

The shrimp boil is the nonprofit’s largest fundraiser, and 100 percent of the proceeds will go to help local children, JA member Tina Cox said.

Cathedral Crawfish Countdown

Cathedral School will host the 28th annual Crawfish Countdown from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Crawfish and trimmings, along with jambalaya, homemade deserts and beverage will be served to adults 21 and older.

Tickets for this great event are $100, which covers the ticket holder and one guest.

In addition, there will be plenty of great music and a draw-down for the $5,000 grand prize.

Belles on Bikes

The Natchez Bicycle Club will host the annual event, Belles on Bikes, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Ride distances range from 16 to 157 miles, so participants can ride however far or fast as they wish.

After the ride, participants will be treated to a lunch and be included in a drawing for door prizes, all for a $35 registration feel.

For details or to register for the event, visit www.natchezbike.org or e-mail bellesonbikes@gmail.com.