Ellington

If you're the type who thrives on seeing authors in the flesh, and hearing them read, the fall signing and reading season holds promise for you. September's highlights at Lemuria include "Dig, Plant, Grow: A Kid's Guide to Gardening," by Jackson's own Felder Rushing who will be signing and reading on Sept. 4, beginning at 11 a.m. Borders in Dogwood Festival is where you can find Louisiana Cajun author Deborah LeBlanc signing her novel "Family Inheritance" at 7 p.m. on Sept. 7. Ellen Douglas signs at 5 p.m. and then reads from her collection of essays, "Witnessing," at Lemuria on Sept 8. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Olen Butler visits Lemuria on Sept. 15 to sign and read, starting at 5 p.m., from his collection of short stories based on 15 early 20th-century postcards from his collection. There are special signing rules for Gen. Tommy Franks' visit to sign "American Soldier" on Sept. 21 at 4:30 p.m. Call Lemuria at 366-7619 so you don't cause a snafu.

Local and best-selling author Jill Conner Browne signs and reads "Sweet Potato Queen's Field Guide to Men" on Oct. 5, starting at 4:30 p.m. You won't want to miss what Lemuria and Julep are cooking up for "Fried Chicken: An American Story," by John T. Edge on Oct. 18, starting at 4:30 p.m. at Julep. Then on Oct. 28, you can get your signed copy of "Travels with Barley" by Ken Wells (yes, he means beer) when he signs and reads beginning at 5 p.m. at Hal & Mal's, once again in conjunction with Lemuria. On Nov. 19 Frank Stitt of excellent eating establishments galore in Birmingham stops at Lemuria to sign "Frank Stitt's Southern Table" at noon.

And let's not forget the monthly Magnolia State Romance Writers and Mystery Book Club meetings at Borders at the Dogwood Festival Mall, 919-0462, or The Millsaps Forum and the Millsaps Arts & Lecture Series, or Lyric Lounge Open Mic Poetry on Thursdays at Daiquiri World. Complete information as of press time is on pages 18-19. — Lynette Hanson

Fall Into Theater
After several weeks of limited local theater, September kicks off the season with a slew of theatrical offerings in and around the capitol city. In Madison, the Central Players are preparing for the Sept. 16 opening of "The Female Odd Couple." Felix and Oscar are replaced by Florence and Olive in this gender-role-reversal adaptation of the original "Odd Couple." The show features what the cast calls a "good blend" of experience and new talent.

"We're all having a lot of fun because so many people know and respect each other in the show. A lot of us have worked together before or have admired each other's work," says JC Patterson, who plays Manolo, one of two eager Spanish brothers courting the odd couple. "It's also a great script, funnier than the original—if I could laugh this much on a daily basis, my stress level would be so much lower."

The weekend of Sept. 16-19 has so many offerings that it will be difficult to catch all the shows. Jackson's own New Stage Theatre kicks off its 39th season with "The Spitfire Grill," a musical about a woman with a mysterious past who moves to the small, insular town of Gilead and brings new life to the people around her. In Pearl, the Pearl Actor's Playhouse presents the classic tale of Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy in the stage adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." In Terry, the Terry Station Players are offering another dinner-theatre comedy show, "Faith County II." And Sept. 29-30 the Kessler Best of Broadway Series at Thalia Mara Hall begins with "Fiddler on the Roof," the classic musical about love, persecution and hope that tells the story of Tevye the milkman and his family in their village Anatevka. You might even call it a "tradition."

This is just a sampling of the autumn wave of theatre in Jackson. See the Lounge List for information and show times, and get thee to a theater. — Beth Kander

Celtic Moves
It's all about the numbers—9, 10, 11, 12 and 13—as in Sept. 10-12, when the 13th CelticFest Mississippi expects 35 performing groups (from the United States, Ireland and Scotland) made up of almost 250 performers on five stages, one more than previous years. And that's not all—three workshop venues dedicated to Celtic heritage, music and dance.

Actually, it's really about learning and enjoying other cultures, something we Mississippians seem to be doing more and more of lately—hooray—in particular the Celtic nations of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. Festivities take place, for the most part, inside air-conditioned buildings at the Ag Museum, at the intersection of I-55 and Lakeland Drive, so there are no worries about the weather. A three-day pass for adults is $8, for seniors $6, for youth (6-17) $4, with 5 and under $1—Friday night only is $3—so you can easily see what a bargain a three-day pass is. Not only will there be music and dancing; there's shopping at the Scottish Bakery and for Celtic music and merchandise.

Headliners include Irish balladeer Brendon Nolan, whose baritone will evoke sadness and joy in listeners, as well as John Williams, the only American-born competitor to win first place in the All-Ireland senior concertina competition, and guitar-master Dean McGraw. Regional performers come from the Jackson metropolitan area as well as Vicksburg, Hattiesburg, New Orleans, Dallas, Austin, Birmingham, Little Rock, Nashville and places in between. Go to http://www.CelticFestMS.org for the complete schedule; they promise to post it soon.

One other special treat takes place on Friday night—if you're of a mind to partake—the 6th annual Irish Whiskey & Scotch Tasting. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door; for reservations, call Ron and Laura at 825-2308. — Lynette Hanson

Get Your Groove On
As the weather cools off each year, the outdoor music festivals get red hot. This year, you don't have to go more than a couple of hours to get to some of the best music in the region. On the Lounge List online you'll find the upcoming fall season for the Miss. Symphony Orchestra and Opera, The Miss. Academy of Ancient Music, CelticFest Mississippi, the 27th Annual Mississippi Delta Blues & Heritage Festival, the Miss. Opry and Bluegrass Fests, the Millsaps' Bell Concert Series and many others.

The 5th Annual Montipaloosa Music Festival on Labor Day weekend promises to offer something for all musical inclinations. Sept. 3-4, Monticello, Atwood Water Park on the Pearl River. Friday: Mr. Cogdelle, Jeff & Vida, Living Better Electrically, Edgar Winter, Strutter (Kiss Tribute Band). Saturday will have two stages with a Battle of the Bands contest on one, on the other The Score, Pun Intended, 10 lb. Test, Gillian Fritz, Son of Sabbath (Ozzy Tribute), Electric Mudd, Beaver Nelson, James "Super Chikan" Johnson, Percy Sledge, Georgia Satellites and Charlie Mars.There's also a Classic Car show, bungee jumping and a mechanical bull. Coolers are welcome. Advanced $15day/$25weekend pass; $20day/$30weekend pass. Under 12 free. 800-595-4TIX, 601-587-9313. http://www.montipaloosa.com

The hottest musical line-up within 400 miles has to be "The 2004 Voodoo Music Experience" at New Orleans City Park, Oct. 16-17. This is the only stop for some of these bands in the Southeast. Other regional shows by performers like The Pixies have sold. You will probably never see this line up again—The Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, The Pixies, The Polyphonic Spree, Kid Rock, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Steel Pulse, Green Day, Paul Van Dyk, Cypress Hill, John Digweed, Velvet Revolver, The Killers, Snow Patrol, The Thrills, Gomez, Alter Bridge (of Creed), Sugarcult, Lake Trout, DJ Mauro Picotto, Ferry Corsten, L.T.J Bukem, MC Conrad, and many more. Two-day passes are on sale now for $70, or $40 per day, at all Ticketmaster outlets. (504) 522-5555. voodoomusicfest.com — Herman Snell