NATCHEZ — Artistic events will keep Miss-Lou residents busy this weekend with sound and theatrical performances.

Cloudy skies with periods of freezing rain are expected today with cool temperatures throughout the weekend.

Alcorn State University Piano Competition

Free musical entertainment will be provided during the eighth annual Alcorn Piano Competition from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Trinity Episcopal Church.

Pianists of all ages will come from locations throughout the region to compete for cash prizes while keeping audience members entertained with music.

The morning competition will consist of students from ages 11 to 17 while the afternoon will feature college piano performances and adult amateurs.

This feature will allow audience members to hear from local pianists in addition to students from Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama and Georgia, chairman David Goldblatt said.

The competition will feature famous guest judges and is sponsored by Alcorn State University Department of Fine Arts.

Entry fees, private donations and assistance from the university fund the competition.

Goldblatt said anyone who wishes to sponsor a cash prize in honor or memory of an individual they deem to be significant may do so by writing a check to “Alcorn State University Foundation” and write “piano competition” in the memo line.

Checks can be mailed to ASU Piano Competition, Attn: Dr. David Goldblatt, 1000 ASU Drive, No. 29, Alcorn State, MS 39096.

Natchez Little Theatre presents “Little Women” and “Southern Exposure”

Members of the Natchez Little Theatre will provide entertainment for visitors and locals during the Spring Pilgrimage every day of the week.

NLT Executive Director Layne Taylor said casts will perform two productions — “Little Women” and “Southern Exposure” — during Spring Pilgrimage following changes to the schedule of Historic Natchez Tableaux performances.

“Little Women” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday through April 3, while “Southern Exposure” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday through April 4.

Tickets to both productions are $15. Reservations can be made by calling 601-442-2233 or 1-877-440-2233.

Girls Rural

Girls Rural will host Miss Mississippi, Jasmine Murray, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Providence Baptist Church in Hazlehurst.

Murray will speak on the topic “13 going on 30,” which teaches young girls to embrace their age.

The event is organized for girls and young women, ages 13 to 18, but is open to the general public.

Registration is required and can be done online at girlsrural.org or by calling 601-552-9140.

Providence Baptist Church is located approximately 17 miles west of Hazlehurst on Mississippi 28.

Friday Forum

The Friday Forum will take place at 8 a.m. Friday at the Natchez Coffee Company on Franklin Street. The forum will feature the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.