Mississippi is truly the birthplace of America’s music, and this Friday the Natchez Festival of Music will salute one of her native sons who figured prominently in one genre of popular music.

While not everyone may have read William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams or our own Greg Iles, it would be hard to find someone on the planet who has not heard “Jailhouse Rock” or “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You.”

The King of Rock and Roll, An Evening of Elvis Presley will be at 7 p.m. Friday at the Natchez Performing Arts Center at Margaret Martin, 64 Homochitto St. with cash bar refreshments beginning at 6 p.m. in The Grape Escape Club Room.

The show will highlight the music of the King from the early years and movies through the 68 Comeback Show and the 70s. Starring is Victor Trevino, Jr., a renowned performer who has been invited to appear literally all around the globe.  He performs with the world’s largest tribute show, “Legends in Concert,” in Las Vegas.  He also stars on the “Elvis Lives Tour,” which is the only Elvis production sanctioned by Graceland.

Admission is $25 and $10 for students K-12, adults with a K-12 student, college students and active military with current ID.

Other upcoming events include “Highway to Heaven” featuring Alvin Shelby and the Natchez Community Gospel Choir at 7 p.m. Thursday at Beulah Baptist Church, 710 B St. This program pays homage to the original “Highway to Heaven” program that was held back in the 1950s. It was performed at Rose Hill Baptist Church, later moved to the Beulah Baptist Church and was performed for the annual pilgrimage season in Natchez. With this updated version, we pay tribute to the people who were part of the original “Highway to Heaven.”

“The Barber of Seville” will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Natchez Performing Arts Center at Margaret Martin, 64 Homochitto St., with cash bar refreshments beginning at 6 p.m. in The Grape Escape Club Room. Admission is $30 and $10 for students K-12, adults with a K-12 student, college students and active military with current ID.

For more information on our entire season, please visit  natchezfestivalofmusic.com

For tickets to all events please visit natchezfestivalofmusic.com, or in person at Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, Destination Natchez or Tourology, or telephone 888-718-4253. Tickets are also available at the door for all events.

Dr. Robert Sizemore is a member of the Natchez Festival of Music board of directors.