NATCHEZ — Pilgrimage in Natchez is stately, sophisticated and formal — but not always.

As the tourism season winds down, the last show of the season is gearing up, and this show is about just plain fun.

The Alcorn State University choir will begin performing Songs of the South April 4 and continue April 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

The one-hour long musical show offers hand-clapping, toe-tapping, Southern spirituals with a smile.

A small group of choir members will perform each night, singing tunes such as “Summertime,” “Deep River” and other spirituals and sacred songs, interim Choir Director Donna Schaffer said.

Other George Gershwin and Stephen Foster songs will also be included, along with a new addition — violinists.

Siblings Anton and Vera Zholandz, ASU students from Russia, will play classical songs with a twist of Southern fiddling, Schaffer said.

Natchez natives Brandon and Brittany Mitchell will be among the vocalists.

Songs of the South began in the early 2000s when a group of locals saw an opportunity. Historic Natchez Pageant ends in early April, leaving a full week of Pilgrimage without that nighttime entertainment.

Songs of the South also provides a perfect bridge from Pilgrimage to the Festival of Music in May, said Sara Blackburn, a festival organizer.

“It’s our first event,” she said. “And we just love being a part of Pilgrimage.”

Songs of the South serves to bring the Alcorn community into Spring Pilgrimage, Blackburn said, a specific goal of her late husband David Blackburn who was the choir’s director.

“It draws in the Alcorn State University artists,” she said “The thing my husband felt so strongly about over the years was inclusiveness. He always wanted, through the performing arts, to draw the entire community together.”

The show will begin at 8 p.m. each night at New Covenant Presbyterian Church on Homochitto Street. Admission is $15 and tickets can be purchased through Natchez Pilgrimage Tours.