Entertainment – Page 66 – The Mississippi Link

USDA revokes Collins Zoo exhibitor license

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has revoked the exhibitor license from the Collins Zoo.

Over the years the USDA has cited zoo owners Gus and Betty White for a wide range of violations to include failing to safely handle animals, failure to provide adequate veterinarian care and cages holding dangerous animals lacking structural integrity.

In January of 2012 the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks seized tigers, cougars, leopards, a monkey, and some wolves from the zoo. […]

Kool & The Gang to headline free Nissan 10th anniversary event

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– On Saturday, May 25, Nissan celebrates 10 years of manufacturing vehicles in Canton and invites the community – a major contributor to its success – to come out to the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson and enjoy a special musical performance by Grammy-winning R&B band Kool & the Gang. There will also be circus performers and a children’s area with a variety of activities, and the day will end with an evening fireworks show.

“Our employees are the heart and soul of our operation in Canton,” said Camille Young, Nissan’s community relations and communications manager for Canton. “We are also deeply grateful to the broader community that has embraced and supported us during our first decade in Mississippi, and we want to take this opportunity to celebrate with those who contribute to our success—our employees, their family members, our local suppliers, area businesses and our community partners.” […]

Candice Glover wins 'American Idol' as Randy Jackson says goodbye

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Longtime “American Idol” judge Randy Jackson bid farewell to the Fox talent competition during Thursday’s 12th season finale, a showdown between vocal powerhouse Candice Glover and country singer Kree Harrison.

Candice Glover was crowned the new “American Idol” after defeating country singer Kree Harrison.

The booming 23-year-old R&B vocalist from St. Helena Island, S.C., looked stunned when “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest announced she bested soulful 22-year-old country singer Harrison from Woodville, Texas . The vote count was not announced. […]

Clarksdale Caravan Music Fest this weekend

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Following the Blues Music Awards, the 7th annual Clarksdale Caravan Music Fest will be held on Saturday, May 11 and Sunday May 12 in downtown Clarksdale.

Musicians will be performing in front of Cathead, 252 Delta Ave., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and outside the Rock & Blues Museum, 113 E. 2nd Street, from 1 to 6 p.m.

Blues fans and tourists venture down the legendary “Blues Highway 61” to Clarksdale, the site of the historic “Blues Crossroads”, to experience the individual signature blues style of the participating musicians and bands. […]

Smithsonian Magazine names Cleveland one of ‘best small towns to visit’

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Smithsonian Magazine has named Cleveland, Miss., one of America’s 20 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2013. Ranked No. 2, Cleveland joins municipalities like Gettysburg, Pa. (No. 1), St. Augustine, Fla. (No. 3), Baraboo, Wis. (No. 4) and Astoria, Ore. (No. 5).

“More than 21.3 million annual visitors to the state can attest to the artistic spirit, rich history and cultural uniqueness of small towns like Cleveland,” said Malcolm White, director of the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division. “What an honor for Cleveland to be recognized at the national level. From blues to fine arts, Cleveland showcases some of the best of our state’s heritage and talent.”

“We are very excited about this designation and appreciate the attention it is bringing to Cleveland and the surrounding area,” said Cheryl Line, Cleveland-Bolivar County Tourism Director. “We hope this recognition will bring more visitors to learn about the mystique of the Mississippi Delta.” […]

B.B. King Homecoming Festival set for July 3

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The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center in Indianola said the annual homecoming festival in honor of their namesake and the legendary bluesman, B.B. King, is scheduled for July 3.

King, a Mississippi native, will be performing on Saturday, April 27, at a casino in Tunica. […]

Children’s book festival honors authors and others with awards

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Jon Scieszka sees himself simply as an author supplying the material needed by teachers and librarians “who go to work every day” to inspire their students and other young people to read.

“My job’s easy,” Scieszka said. “I just sit in my office and write, but they’re the ones in the trenches motivating kids to want to be readers.”

Scieszka is the author of the acclaimed The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. He was on The University of Southern Mississippi’s Hattiesburg campus this week to receive the top honor given at the annual Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival, the Southern Miss Medallion. […]

Funk Brothers get star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Grenada native and Motown superstar Eddie “Chank” Willis and Jack Ashford of the Funk Brothers were recently honored for their musical contributions with a star of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

“We are happy to honor The Funk Brothers on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!” stated Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President/CEO, Leron Gubler. “Many of us grew up with their amazing hit songs which they performed with some of the biggest stars of Motown!”

Gubler and guest speakers Stevie Wonder, Ray Parker Jr. and Mickey Stevenson helped The Funk Brothers unveil the 2,493rd Star in the Category of Recording at 7065 Hollywood Boulevard across from the Live Nation Building. […]

Medgar Evers’ exhibit coming to Dept. of Archives and History

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In observance of the 50th anniversary of his death, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) will commemorate the life of civil rights leader Medgar Evers with exhibits and programs.

Evers was the Mississippi field secretary for the NAACP from 1954 until his assassination in the driveway of his family’s home in Jackson on June 11, 1963.

On May 1, a History Is Lunch lecture by Myrlie Evers-Williams, former director of the NAACP and Medgar Evers’s widow, will open the exhibit “This is Home”: Medgar Evers, Mississippi, and the Movement.

Evers-Williams is now a distinguished scholar-in-residence at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. […]

B.B. King Museum hosts Black History Month Musical Celebration

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In keeping with their mission to preserve the rich culture and music of the Mississippi Delta, The B.B. King Museum will host free musical programs every Thursday in February in honor of Black History Month.

On Feb. 7, the program will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will feature the music of: The Eastside High School Choir; The Greenwood High School Choir and the Restoration Ministries Academy.

Museum director, Dion Brown, said this month’s program is just a preview of what The B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center will offer to the public in 2013. […]