The Natchez Festival of Music’s first “A Christmas Cabaret” was a huge success, and I want to thank all those who participated, attended and helped promote it.

The early December event at the Natchez City Auditorium was full of energy and really set the tone for happy holidays full of warmth and jingle.

Because the inaugural event was so successful, we and our partner, Christmas in Natchez, already are planning next year’s cabaret.

I especially want to thank The Democrat, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, First Natchez Radio Group, the University of Southern Mississippi and the many friends and supporters of the Natchez Festival of Music for their invaluable support. Outside of Natchez, Baton Rouge’s WAFB-TV gave the event wonderful promotion as well.

Now that the holidays are behind us, the festival is looking forward to its best season yet in May, which will include live performances from the worlds of Broadway, jazz and opera, as well as galas and a wine tasting.

I hope our local supporters will tell their out-of-town friends that the Eola, Guest House and a number of B&Bs are running weekend specials around festival events. Other hotels and B&Bs are invited to offer specials as well so that information about and links to the specials can be posted on the festival’s website.

The second weekend in May will be particularly exciting with the Natchez Downtown Development Association collaborating with the festival for Second Saturday festivities.

Tenor Paul Groves will perform that Saturday night followed by a gala at the antebellum home Gloucester.

Season and individual tickets and more information are available online through natchezfestivalofmusic.com, as well as by calling 601.445.2210 or through Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.

 

Mary Lessley

president, Natchez Festival of Music