Published: September 10, 2009 11:49 pm      

Mississippi arts hour

Dear readers: Today was a red-letter day for this writer. Get comfortable now, and let me tell you all about it.

I set my alarm last night for 6:00 am sharp, then, I bounded out of bed this morning, and headed for Jackson. I had an appointment at Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), and by invitation, I was there to record for the Mississippi Arts Hour with host, Diane Williams, Mississippi Arts Commission, Arts Industry Director & Accessibility Coordinator. Perhaps, dear readers, you are wondering – what is the Mississippi Arts Hour? I'm so glad you've asked! Please continue to read, and expect to be pleasantly surprised, and really proud of your/my state.

As you know, this weekly column is geared for all-things-Mississippi. I report to you about some things you already know, like – our good people, and the natural beauty of the state. I don't think we can over emphasize those two qualities. Also, I think it is really important to keep everyone in-the-know about the arts communities and the news and happenings as well with the educational communities throughout the state.

There is one public agency I would like to mention today that is very involved with both areas -- the Mississippi Arts Commission. I encourage you to checkout the web site: www.arts.state.ms.us to enjoy this multi-faceted supporter and promoter of the arts in community life and arts education. Today, I shall tell you about one tiny area (there are so many) supported by Mississippi Arts Commission (MAC) and Mississippi Public Broadcasting that is so important for our state – "The Mississippi Arts Hour".

According to the description on MAC’s web site: Each week, members of MAC’s staff host “The Mississippi Arts Hour,” a radio program broadcast on Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s FM and digital radio networks. The show is also re-broadcast by WLEZ in Jackson and WUSM in Hattiesburg. The “Arts Hour” features interviews with Mississippi artists, musicians, craftspeople, and others involved in arts and culture from around the state. The broadcast schedule: Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Think Radio (statewide FM signal): Sundays, 3:00-4:00pm. Mississippi Public Broadcasting’s Music Radio (statewide digital signal): Saturdays, 11:00am-12:00pm. Re-broadcast by: WUSM (88.5 FM) in Hattiesburg on Saturdays, 12:00-1:00pm and WLEZ (100.1 FM) in Jackson on Sundays, 9:00-10:00am. You can also listen online at the MPB Radio page. ... For those who miss the broadcasts or live out of state, MAC offers an edited version of “The Mississippi Arts Hour” as a podcast. If you have an iPod or other mp3 player, you can subscribe to the show through iTunes or by copying and pasting MAC’s RSS feed into your mp3 player’s software program.

Oh, my, you all know that I am not into all of the techy stuff, but if you are, then MAC has you covered. However, if you rather have punched the button that says “radio” – then, you are set as well. Just check the program listing, and turn up the volume to be so wonderfully amazed at our arts/education-through-the-arts/ communities at work.



Recent Shows:

August 23, 2009 – “Building Blocks”

Documentary – The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has produced “Building Blocks,” a new documentary film that looks at the recovery of several communities on Mississippi’s Gulf Coast. Larry Morrisey talks with Ken P’Pool from Archives and “Building Blocks” writer and director Ed Ellington about the film, which will be broadcast on the MPB television.



August 30, 2009 – Photographer Jane Rule Burdine – Jane Rule Burdine photographs the back roads of the Mississippi Delta. Her 2008 publication Delta Deep Down captures an intimate perspective of Delta life and landscape. Mary Margaret Miller talks with Burdine about her experiences as a photographer, and the people she’s met along the way.



September 6, 2009 – “Highway 61” Host, Scott Barretta – Scott Barretta is the host of “Highway 61,” the blues radio show heard every Saturday night on Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Larry Morrisey talks with Barretta about his roots in Virginia, his work on the Mississippi Blues Trail project, and gets some recommendations on new blues venues in the state.



Upcoming Shows:

September 13 – Interview with USM Symphony conductor Jay Dean.



` Date not confirmed – Interviews by Diane Williams at the Mississippi Writers Guild Conference held August 14 & 15 in Vicksburg.



Date not confirmed, but maybe the 3rd Saturday of December -- Author interviews by Diane Williams: Patricia Neely-Darsey of Tupelo, “Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia” (a life in poems). Anne B. McKee of Meridian, “Historic Photos of Mississippi” (nearly 200 original and authentic images, dated 1860-1970, takes the reader on a flight path to key points of interest in historic Mississippi).



Life in Mississippi and America – yes, it’s worth it all. Let us not forget the sacrifices made so that we might enjoy the freedom, and the joy of life, as we know it – especially on this day of all days.



Anne McKee is a writer and storyteller. She lives in Meridian. Anne is listed on the Mississippi Artist Roster, sponsored by Mississippi Arts Commission, as a dramatic and literary artist, storyteller, and as a Teaching Artist. She is active with the arts and educational communities throughout Mississippi.