The 2015 Natchez Literary and Cinema Celebration is almost here.

Feb. 26 to 28 marks the 26th annual NLCC, with the theme “Bigger than Life: Extraordinary Mississippians.”

Throughout the state’s history, there have been many gifted leaders in various fields such as literature, music, food, entertainment, politics and sports. We invite you to join us as we celebrate how they have helped shape the world we live in.

This mostly free, award-winning event is not only the perfect learning opportunity for all who have an interest in Mississippi history and culture, but it also offers educators the opportunity to earn up to two continuing education units.

CEU cost is $45, which includes registration and admission tickets to the Feb. 27 NAPAC reception and “For My People,” a concert saluting Margaret Walker.

A pre-conference film, “Mud,” written by Jeff Nichols, is at 6:30 p.m., Feb. 26, followed by discussion session.

The keynote address, “Mississippi’s Creative Economy,” at 9 a.m. Feb. 27 is by Malcolm White, Director of the Tourism Division at the Mississippi Development Authority.

Other speakers that day are David Sansing of the University of Mississippi, on John Roy Lynch of Natchez and L.Q.C. Lamar of Oxford; Ted Atkinson, of Mississippi State University, on William Faulkner; and Curtis Wilkie of the University of Mississippi on “Mississippians: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.”

A panel discussion, “Mississippi’s Four W’s in Literature: Tennessee Williams, Eudora Welty, Margaret Walker and Richard Wright” will be by Robert Bray, Carolyn J. Brown, Alferdteen Harrison, Jerry W. Ward Jr. and Maryemma Graham.

A reception at 5 p.m. at the NAPAC museum features a Richard Wright exhibit.

“Family Day at the NLCC,” which is Feb. 28, features programs of interest to all ages. Speakers include Thomas McNamee on the food writer Craig Claiborne; Regina Charboneau on her friendship with Claiborne; Rick Cleveland about Mississippi athletes; and Brian Jay Jones on Jim Henson of Muppet fame.

Two unique musical performances will illustrate program topics. On Feb. 27, “For My People,” a multimedia concert, is based on Margaret Walker’s poetry, composed by pianist/director Randy Klein with soloist Aurelia Williams and the Jackson State University Chorale performing. This concert will be hosted at Trinity Episcopal Church, 305 S. Commerce St. The $10 ticket fee is included in the CEU.

The other performance is on Feb. 28, immediately following a program by Ted Gioia on how Mississippi changed the music world. Vasti Jackson, guitarist, vocalist, and member of the Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame, will perform “First Came the Blues.”

In addition are two award ceremonies. The first is at 10 a.m. Feb. 27, honoring Jim Barnett, winner of the Thad Cochran Humanities Achievement Award.

The second is at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 28. The 2015 Richard Wright Literary Excellence Awards will honor Glen Ballard, a Natchez native and a six-time Grammy Award winning lyricist and songwriter; Myrlie Evers-Williams, author of “For Us, The Living” and former chairman of the NAACP; and Robert V. Haynes, author of “The Natchez District and the American Revolution.” The Horton Foote Award for Special Achievement in Screenwriting will honor Jeff Nichols, writer and director of “Mud,” “Take Shelter,” “Shotgun Stories” and “Midnight Special.”

Two meals are not included in the CEU fee, though tickets may be bought for them. One is a luncheon at the Carriage House Feb. 28 at $25, and the other is a fundraising dinner honoring award winners and speakers at King’s Tavern, also on Feb. 28. Tickets are $145, with $100 tax-deductible.

For CEU registration, please contact me at emily.edwards@colin.edu or by calling 601-446-1103. For more information about the NLCC, tickets and CEUs, just visit colin.edu/nlcc, email NLCC@colin.edu or call 601-446-1289 or toll free, 1-866-296-6522.

The NLCC is sponsored by Copiah-Lincoln Community College and the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, with support of Natchez National Historical Park and partial funding from the Mississippi Humanities Council.

 

Emily Edwards is the learning resources coordinator for the Copiah-Lincoln Community College.