When Spring Pilgrimage begins on March 7, locals and visitors alike can enjoy an abundance of evening entertainment options.

Tonight and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., the new Historic Natchez Tableaux, rewritten this year by New York Times best-selling author and Natchez native Greg Iles, depicts Natchez history from the Natchez Indians’ battle with the French in the early 1700s, to the dismantling of the Forks of the Road slave market by the U.S. Colored Troops of the Union Army.

The new multimedia performance features professional music and vocalists in addition to favorite traditional tableaux with toddlers, teens and seniors decked out in elaborate period costumes.

On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m., March 10-28, participate in Southern Road to Freedom, a stirring tribute to the African American experience, presented by the award-winning Holy Family choir at Mississippi’s oldest African American Catholic church.

Each Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. during Pilgrimage, Natchez Festival of Music vocalist Lynn Beach Smith will take visitors on a musical journey through 250 years of Natchez history with performances of classical music, jazz and other genres at A Musical Portrait of Natchez. Join her at the Carriage House Restaurant on the grounds of the magnificent 1857-mansion Stanton Hall.

The Natchez Little Theatre, now in its 83rd year, offers two productions throughout Spring Pilgrimage: “Little Women” on Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and “Southern Exposure,” a hilarious 1952 Broadway satire of Pilgrimage on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. All performances are at 7:30 p.m.

Exceptional one-chance-only and limited run offerings include the following:

-From Ragtime to Swing, an intimate concert with light refreshments at lovely Elms Court. Dance and sway as local musicians portray famed Natchez bandleader Bud Scott on March 9 only from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

-A Soiree Musicale by classical pianist Joe Stone in his lovingly restored 19th century family home at 804 Washington Street, furnished with fascinating memorabilia from sea-going captains to Harper Lee. At 6 p.m. only on March 16, 30 and April 4.

-A Candlelight Tour of the Towers, an intimate evening with the owners at this grand Italianate antebellum mansion filled with magnificent and eclectic collections. With refreshments and music, on March 23 from 7 to 9 p.m.

-Celebrate Natchez style with Pilgrimage queens and local celebrities at Stanton Hall. Enjoy festive food, music, dancing and an open bar at the first black-time Save the Hall Ball fundraiser for the nonprofit Pilgrimage Historical Association. Includes VIP seating at the Historic Natchez Tableaux on March 21, following the Tableaux until 1 a.m.

Tickets for all events are available through Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at the Natchez Visitor Reception Center, 640 S. Canal St. For more information or assistance planning your trip, call Natchez Pilgrimage Tours at 800-647-6742 or visit natchezpilgrimage.com.

To purchase tickets online, visit shopnatchezpilgrimage.com.

 

Marsha Colson is a Natchez resident.