Be our guest with FestivalSouth's production of 'Beauty and the Beast'

In its 14-year history, FestivalSouth has brought in national acts alongside local talent for a month of multidisciplinary activities from children's art and theater to concerts to dance.

“The arts are vitally important to us as a community,” said Amanda Powell, chairwoman of the Hattiesburg Concert Association, the parent organization of FestivalSouth. “Our mission to showcase the area’s arts and artists is no more apparent than in this epic summer showcase.”

This year's lineup will feature more than 50 free and ticketed events over long weekends, beginning May 30. Other events for families will take place during the week as well.

“As the most extensive multigenre arts festival in the state, each year we provide well-produced, top-quality events that are designed to entertain and educate a wide variety of people,” Artistic Director Mike Lopinto said in a news release.

Opening week events

Opening weekend activities focus on the family, with the Hub City Players' "Beauty and Beast." The show will run from May 30 to June 3 at Mannoni Performing Arts Center at Southern Miss.

Rounding out opening weekend will be an exclusive FestivalArt exhibit of fiber artist Martha Ginn's art quilts in the Downey Gallery at University Baptist Church. "Artie events for families" kick off at St. Fabian Catholic Church on June 3.

On June 4, a silent movie event will be accompanied by an organist on the Robert Morgan pipe organ, the original instrument installed in the Saenger Theater. After the movie, guests can take in the Pocket Museum in the alley outside the theater.

Week 2 activities

FestivalSouth's second weekend will focus on music, with “American Landscape” and “Red, White and Bourbon” chamber pieces at the Hattiesburg Train Depot, featuring Rachel Ciraldo on flute and Theresa Sanchez on piano and led by guest conductor Jay Dean.

The program includes a piano quintet by Arthur Foote, “Appalachian Spring” by Aaron Copland and “American Canvas” for flute, cello and piano by award-winning composer Jennifer Higdon.

The event is partnered with a wine and bourbon pairing option.

Other events for week two of FestivalSouth include “An Evening with Ella Fitzgerald” will feature vocalist Katrina Cox with the David Pellow trio; “Songs of Loss and Love” with tenor, Jonathan Yarrington; Downtown Summer Tunes featuring the Hattiesburlesque House Band; the Dog Days 5K run and 2-mile walk; and Hattiesburg’s Civic Chorus, The Meistersingers, performing James Mulholland’s “Missa Romantica” on June 11.

Get moving in Week 3

The FestivalSouth World Championship Golf Classic will be June 16 along with "Beerthoven," a music and brewed beverage pairing.

During the day on June 17 will be the Columbia Kids’ Arts Festival and a concert by the FestivalSouth Youth Orchestra.

On the heels of performances at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and Forecastle, Matt Maeson comes to FestivalSouth for a one-night-only concert on June 17 at the Saenger. A social dance with the Hattiesburg chapter of USA Dance will be held across the street from the Saenger at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center.

And if you're still ready to celebrate, a post-concert dance event will begin at 9:30 p.m. June 17 at Brewsky's. "Celebración Nocturna” will feature Arrebato Orquesta from Ecuador.

A Juneteenth celebration will include a performance of “Voices of Freedom,” which explores Black culture and the Civil Rights Movement through stories, spoken word and song at the Historic Eureka School on Sixth Street. Featured guest will be James Meredith, the first Black man to integrate the University of Mississippi.

Final week extravaganza

The FestivalFinale weekend will feature a one-night-only performance of “Iconic: A Cirque Rock Symphonic Extravaganza.”

The event will showcase the work of world-class acrobats from Cirque de la Symphonie along with the FestivalOrchestra and vocalists.

The event will take place June 24 at Lake Terrace Convention Center. Look for appearances by Vasti Jackson, Barry Leach, and Michael Muenchow Rivera. The set list includes music by Aerosmith, Bruno Mars, Earth Wind and Fire, Foreigner, Genesis, Gloria Estefan, James Brown, Journey, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Santana, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Styx, Whitney Houston and more.

“If you loved last year’s Motown and Queen finales, you can’t miss 'Iconic' — the biggest show yet,” Dean said.

Other FestivalFinale events include "A Royal Celebration with Artie" in Sumrall; “Too Darn Hot,” featuring the Chip Herrington Jazz 5; "Odd Couples" featuring a bevy of talented musicians paired with guitar; and the Legacy Actors Theatre Experience's production of “Food Fiascos.”

FestivalSouth is a cultural and economic driver for the Pine Belt, supported by a number of private and organizational donors an local government officials.

“The shared investment of our community, including the city of Hattiesburg, Forrest County, the University of Southern Mississippi, Lamar County and a vast network of business and individual sponsors and donors represent an ongoing mission to enrich the area with the arts,” Lopinto said.

To learn more

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit festivalsouth.org or follow FestivalSouth on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: FestivalSouth 2023 lineup announced