Jan 26
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GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi welcomes David Porter

By | GRAMMY | No Comments

Internationally renowned songwriter and producer David Porter will discuss his career and mentoring program Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

GRAMMY Museum Mississippi is pleased to welcome a Songwriters Hall of Fame-inducted songwriter, producer and entrepreneur with music sales in excess of 300 million units, David Porter, for two exciting programs in the Sanders Soundstage on Feb. 7. at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

Porter will participate in an installment of the museum’s “A Conversation With” series for students, during which he will discuss his extensive career and offer advice and industry insight from his experience as a successful songwriter, producer and entrepreneur for the legendary Stax Records. Teachers can register students for the program by emailing education@grammymuseum.org. Admission for the program, which includes a tour of the Museum, is $5 per student.

Later that evening, Porter will return for an installment of the museum’s “An Evening With” series, during which he will discuss his successful career, share his experience as the first staff songwriter for Stax Records, and provide insight into his non-profit endeavors through The Consortium MMT. Tickets for the program are $10 for museum members and $15 for non-members. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling the museum box office at 662-441-0100, or in person at the museum at 800 W. Sunflower Rd. in Cleveland.

As a songwriter and producer for the iconic Stax Records, Porter is widely known for the songs he has written and co-written over the years, including hits such as “Soul Man,” “Hold On I’m Coming” and “I Thank You.” He also has a passion for helping to develop the next generation of talented songwriters, recording artists and record producers. 

He is the founder of The Consortium MMT, a national mentoring program based in Memphis, Tennessee. Through this program, Porter connects successful music professionals and entrepreneurs with experience in various disciplines of the entertainment industry with talented youth in an effort to offer invaluable insight and provide them with an opportunity to cultivate their artistry. 

 To RSVP for the above programs, or for more information about upcoming museum programs, contact: Vickie Jackson at vjackson@grammymuseumms.org.

Jan 25
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DMI All stars borders

DMI to host Delta Night in Jackson

By | College of Arts and Sciences, Delta Music Institute, Students | No Comments
Pictured in front row (from left to right): Kacee Russell – Jackson, TN; Carrie Lynn Stanford – Gautier, MS; Schaefer Llana – Batesville, MS; Middle row (l to r): Tyan Nash – Cleveland, MS; Lindsey Anna Pardue- Clinton, MS; Audrianna Johnson – Grenada, MS; Kelsey Collins – Caledonia, MS; Back row (l to r): Kailey Mathis – Madison, MS; Ryan Bridges – Batesville, MS; Clay Brown – Jackson, MS; Dalton Shipley – Batesville, MS; and Cody Upchurch – Grenada, MS.

The Delta Music Institute is set to host a night of live music provided by an assortment of solo acts and bands based out of the DMI entertainment industry studies program at Delta State University. The event will take place at Hal & Mal’s in Jackson on Jan. 28 with performances beginning at 5 p.m.

The DMI All Stars are the featured act, as they look to showcase their catalogue of Mississippi centric covers in preparation for their performance in Los Angeles on Mississippi Night during GRAMMY® Week. There will also be performances from three other DMI student bands and multiple solo performers. DeltaRoX brings some of the major chart toppers in the classic rock genre to life, while Ol’ Skool Revue revives the classic Motown sound with their R&B, funk and soul influences shining bright. The final performing DMI band, B4Y2K, covers the many feel-good tunes that the ‘90s produced.

There will also be a handful of solo performers playing ahead of the bands. From the southern-styled acoustic sound of Carrie Lynn Stanford, Brittany McGee and Chris James, to the more intimate singer-songwriter ballads of Kailey Mathis, Kelsey Buquet and Schaefer Llana, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The solo performers begin playing at 5 p.m. in the dining room of Hal & Mal’s. The event is free, but a $5 donation is suggested to help support the travel costs of the student performers. The bands will begin playing at 7 p.m. in the Red Room, where a $5 cover charge is required to enter.

For more information regarding the event, contact Hal & Mal’s at 601-948-0888 or the Delta Music Institute at 662-846-4579.

The DMI is an independent center of study under the College of Arts and Sciences at Delta State University, offering a bachelor’s degree in entertainment industry studies. The focus of the DMI is to provide students with a broad and thorough education in the technological, creative and business areas of the music and entertainment industry. For information, visit http://dmi.deltastate.edu.

 

Jan 25
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Alumni announces chapter meeting in Brookhaven

By | Alumni, General | No Comments

The Delta State University National Alumni Association announced plans for the annual South Central Mississippi Alumni Chapter Meeting Jan. 26 at Mitchell’s Steak & Seafood in Brookhaven. The registration and social will begin at 6 p.m, followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m.

The event will host an All-Star cast featuring Delta State President William N. LaForge and baseball coach Mike Kinnison. Other special guests will include Ronnie Mayers, director of Athletics, Tricia Walter, director of the Delta Music Institute, and representatives from the Admissions Office.

“The Delta State University South Central Chapter is full of Delta State pride,” said Jeffrey Farris, director of Alumni Affairs. “The chapter is always eager to come together in the name of their alma mater.”

Molly Hoagland Johnson ‘94 will be recognized as the South Central Mississippi Chapter Alumnus of the Year.

Johnson lives in McComb and is married to Pender Johnson. She received her bachelor’s in 1994 and MBA in 1995. She was president of Kappa Delta Sorority and a member of the Delta State tennis team from 1990-94. Additionally, Johnson is a member of the Delta State Student Hall of Fame. Currently, she serves as the executive director for the United Givers of Southwest Mississippi.

The cost for the meeting is $15 per person. Prospective students are invited to attend as guests of the Alumni Association. To RSVP, call 662-846-4660 or visit www.deltastategiving.org/alumniassociation/southcentralevent.

To stay up to date on the Alumni Association’s activities, follow these social media sites: Facebook (Statesmen Graduates), Twitter (@DSU_Alumni), Tumblr (http://www.dsualumni.tumblr.com), LinkedIn (DSU alumni), Instagram (dsualumni) and You Tube (dsualumni1). Save the date for this year’s Go Green Weekend (April 8), Pig Pickin’ (Oct. 7) and Homecoming (Nov. 11).

Jan 24
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San Francisco’s Alonzo King LINES Ballet to dance at BPAC

By | Bologna Performing Arts Center, Community | No Comments

The Bologna Performing Arts Center is thrilled to host the Alonzo King LINES Ballet Jan. 30-Feb. 1.

Hailed by critics as “stunning, fierce and evocative,” Alonzo King LINES Ballet leaps to uncharted heights with bold new dance innovations that redefine what ballet can be. Brought to life by the extraordinary LINES Ballet dancers, Alonzo King’s visionary choreography is renowned for connecting audiences to a profound sense of shared humanity.

They will perform two pieces, “Art Songs” and “Sand,” on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-35. For more information, visit www.bolognapac.com, or call the Ticket Office at 662-846-4626.

The performance is locally sponsored by the USA International Ballet Competition.

Collaborating with noted composers, musicians and visual artists from around the world, Alonzo King creates honest and spiritually-gripping work that draws on a diverse set of deeply-rooted cultural traditions, imbuing classical ballet with new expressive potential.

King has received several performing arts awards and honors over the course of his career, including the Doris Duke Foundation Artist Award, Kennedy Center Master of Choreography and Jacob’s Pillow Creativity Award.

LINES Ballet will arrive in Cleveland on Jan. 30 to begin their three-day residency. The company will give two master classes that afternoon at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. for dance students ages four and up. Limited space is available, and interested students are asked to call 662-846-4844 to sign up for the free master classes.

Following their evening public performance Jan. 31, the company will present one ballet for students on Feb. 1 at 10:30 a.m. at the BPAC. Grant funding is available for free tickets for Delta area schools, but advanced reservations are required. Following the performance, schools can take a guided campus tour with Delta State University’s Office of Admissions as part of “Experience DSU Day,” a recruiting event and arts showcase that will highlight the best of what Delta State has to offer. Contact the BPAC Arts Education office for more information at 662-846-4844.

The Southern Company is the national sponsor for the Southern U.S. tour of the LINES Ballet. The LINES Ballet performance and residency activities are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission.

Jan 24
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Conner Taylor

Taylor recognized for Pi Kappa Alpha role

By | Students | No Comments

Senior accounting major Conner Taylor recently received national distinction after achieving Gold Level Certification from Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity for volunteerism and leadership.

Taylor, who is president of Delta State’s chapter, was one of only seven students across the nation to receive this distinction.

“It’s an unreal feeling, and it’s a sense of accomplishment that very few members of the fraternity all over the country get to experience,” said Taylor, a Cleveland native. “It is something that I didn’t think I would be able to achieve the first time I went to a Pike University event.”

Taylor said he is humbled to be recognized for volunteerism and leadership — traits he has always put at the forefront.

“I have always been involved with volunteering throughout my life, whether it be through church, RUF at Delta State or Pi Kappa Alpha,” he said. “We have a duty to help those in need. It doesn’t mean giving a handout to someone undeserving, but lending your time and talents to a worthy cause.”

“Leadership is an important quality because it molds young people into successful adults,” he added. “The most important thing about being a leader is that you don’t have to hold an official leadership title to be a leader. There are many leaders in my fraternity who have never held office but are influential members in the chapter.”

Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Vernell Bennett said she was also thrilled with Taylor’s recognition.

“This is great news because Conner has worked hard throughout his matriculation here at DSU,” said Bennett. “Scholarship, volunteerism and service are at the bedrock of his success as a Statesman.”

“Student Affairs is constantly striving to produce holistically well-rounded students,” she added. “We want students to be scholars and civic-minded with a social conscious. Conner is the epitome of just that.”

Learn more about Student Affairs at Delta State at http://www.deltastate.edu/student-life.

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