October in Oxford, Mississippi brings all sorts of interesting and cool things to do. Not only do we have a thriving food and bar scene and live music every which way you turn, lately the arts have been flourishing as well. A welcome change from the barren wasteland that was the past sixteen or so months, the culture of Oxford is more accessible than ever. Often with the added option of virtual attendance, art events offer something for everyone. Read on to discover a few exciting events, many sponsored by the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, coming up in the next couple of weeks.
Fans of installation art will be thrilled by the return of the One Night Stand at The Ole Miss Motel, which will take place Saturday, October 16 from 5–10 pm. This year’s artists include: Ashleigh Coleman (Miss.), Lo-Fi (Tenn.), Frances Berry (Tenn.), Heather Hall Sunquist (Tex.), Church Goin’ Mule (La.), Katherine George (Tenn.), Amy Elizabeth Marceaux (Miss.), Capt. James V (Tenn.), and Aaron Sanders Head (Ala.). Each artist transforms a motel room into their own gallery for the night. Don’t miss one of the most popular art events of the year! Food and drinks will be available for purchase from Boswell’s Jamaican Cuisine and Oxford Creamery. Email iheartmotelart@gmail.com for more information.
Speaking of Jamaican cuisine, if you’re a fan of jerk chicken and/or clever innuendo, make sure you mark your calendar for the very first “Jerk Off” cooking contest. This fun new event includes a Jamaican-style cookoff between two of Oxford’s favorite chefs: Keiona Jackson of Kei Gourmet and Taariq David of Hospitality Bruhs! Included in your ticket ($50 for YAC members or $55 for non-members) is a plate from each chef including their personal take on Jamaican jerk chicken and their choice of side along with three cocktails from Bar Muse’s Joseph Stinchcomb. This event will take place on Sunday, October 17 at the Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena from 5:30 to 8 pm. Get your tickets at oxfordarts.com and bring your appetite for a guaranteed good time.
For the film aficionados and environmentalists, coming up at The Powerhouse on Tuesday, October 19 is a screening of National Geographic’s documentary about adventurer, filmmaker, inventor, author, unlikely celebrity and conservationist: Jacques-Yves Cousteau. “Cousteau and his explorations under the ocean became synonymous with a love of science and the natural world. As he learned to protect the environment, he brought the whole world with him, sounding alarms more than fifty years ago about the warming seas and our planet’s vulnerability. In Becoming Cousteau, two-time Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus takes an inside look at Cousteau and his life, his iconic films and inventions, and the experiences that made him the 20th century’s most unique and renowned environmental voice — and the man who inspired generations to protect the Earth.” Doors open at 7 pm, and showtime is 7:30 pm; again, tickets are available at oxfordarts.com.
Finally, for those who love to meander around town on a home game weekend to catch the town’s vibe, don’t miss out on the Sounds Around Town. This program consists of musical pop-ups around town during the evening hours on Friday, October 22. This week’s artists will be country / southern rock songsters Hannah + Karly performing in the atrium outside of The Growler, Corinth-based country outfit A Band of Jones performing at the North Lamar Pocket Park, and Mississippi slide guitarist Wendy Jean Garrison performing at Spring Street Cigars on South Lamar just off the Square.
Whatever flavor of entertainment you crave, you can find it in Oxford!
