���������������������������� 2 Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 inside [email protected] EDITOR AD SALES AD PRODUCTION PUBLISHER EMERITUS CO-PUBLISHERS Jeff McVay Sarah Brooke Gober Charlotte Dicus Brian Roy Kathy Wile Wade Griffin Jesse P. Phillips Tim Phillips Rita Vasilyev Letters and columns printed do not necessarily reflect the views of OXFORD TOWN. OXFORD TOWN was established August 19, 1993. OXFORD TOWN is published every Thursday by The Oxford EAGLE at 916 Jackson Avenue, P.O. Box 866, Oxford MS 38655. Phone: 662-234-4331 Fax: 662-234-4351 E-mail: [email protected] FORD CENTER’S “SWAN LAKE” SELLS OUT 5 The Russian National Ballet is bringing its acclaimed production of “Swan Lake” to the University of Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts for one show on Friday, March 4. With an expected sellout for the performance, the Ford Center recently announced that anyone with tickets that will not be used can turn the tickets into the UM Box Office. The ticket holder will be credited for a donation to support Ford Center programming and receive a charitable donation tax receipt for the amount of the tickets. Turn to Page 5 for complete details. • USPS 416-400 • For a subscription to OXFORD TOWN, call 662-234-2222. We welcome letters of comment. The opinions expressed by contributors in OXFORD TOWN are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication or The Oxford EAGLE. The letter from the editor (if included) is the opinion of the editor only and does not reflect the views of the publishers. All material is ©2010. OXFORD TOWN is a member of the Mississippi Press Association. also in this issue ... on the cover THE GODFREY SHOW Megan Huddleston (Mister Baby) rounds out a whirlwind tour of Lafayette County tonight (Thursday, Feb. 3) at Parrish’s. Check out Oxford Town music writer Stu Kelly’s coverage of the popular rocker and honorary Oxonian on Page 3 as she completes her two week tour. —Cover photo by Mike Stanton / Cover design by Jeff McVay SATIATE YOUR RAP NEEDS AT PROUD LARRY’S 5 Proud Larry’s branches out this week by featuring three popular rap artists. Catch Yelawolf with fellow-rappers CyHi da Prynce and DJ Quickie Mart tonight (Thursday, March 3). Doors open at 7 and the music begins at 8. Turn to Page 5 for more information about a rare night of Oxford rap being hosted by Proud Larry’s. 8 Never at a loss for words (or an opinion), Oxford Town Sporst Columnist Steven Godfrey dissects the Rebel basketball team’s chances for a post season tournament bid, whether it be NIT or NCAA. Turn to Page 8 to catch up on your Andy Kennedy and Rebel basketball team coverage. BUSY PIG 7 The Blind Pig releases a busy schedule this week featuring Ironwood Bluff. The Tupelo band is set for The Blind Pig stage tomorrow night (Friday, March 4) with Wooden Finger scheduled to open the show. Turn to Page 7 for information on the popular regional band and others being hosted by The Blind Pig this weekend. OxfordTownQ&A Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 What are you spring cleaning this year? John McCay Noah Pillault William Coleman “My Drake Jacket to get ready for next year’s duck hunting season.” “I’m spring cleaning the dangers of my neighborhood.” “I’m spring cleaning my 12 gauge shotgun to shoot some skeet.” Jeff McVay, Editor [email protected] Brian Roy, Advertising Director [email protected] “My attitude toward black bears, mediocre Rebel football and clueless citizens circling the Square at 3 miles per hour.” “Gonna try to get the bats out of my belfry.” 3 Mister Baby Huddleston to rock Parrish’s BY STU KELLY M Oxford Town Music Beat egan Huddleston has been a whirlwind of activity in Oxford and Lafayette County over the past few years — but never so much as the past two weeks. She rounds out that storm tonight (Thursday, Feb. 3) at Parrish’s for her final show — at least for the foreseeable future. However, last Tuesday night, there was a mellow vibe flowing through the cool southern air at Main Squeeze as Huddleston sat down for an intimate acoustic set to a diverse group of appreciative fans. Hailing from Crozet, Va., a small town outside of Charlottesville, Mister Baby has paid her dues as a touring musician developing a devoted fan base across the country, particularly here in Oxford. Sitting alone with her acoustic guitar and no microphone at Main Squeeze, Huddleston showed the ability to reach out to every member of the audience on an emotional level through her powerful voice and meaningful lyrics. PHOTO BY MIKE STANTON See BABY on Page 9 Russian National Ballet to Perform ‘Swan Lake’ Sarah Brooke Gober, ad sales [email protected] Charlotte Dicus, ad sales [email protected] Bruce Newman, photographer [email protected] “My sister’s Bridezilla-like episodes.” “The back yard in case a pool arrives.” “Spring” Kathy Wile, graphic designer [email protected] Wade Griffin, graphic designer [email protected] “Whatever is the dirtiest.” “I won’t have time this year. I’ll be too busy spring relaxing.” EXPECTED SELLOUT With an expected sellout for the “Swan Lake” performance on Friday, March 4, the Ford Center recently announced that anyone with tickets that will not be used can turn them into the UM Box Office. The ticket holder will be credited for a donation to support Ford Center programming and receive a charitable donation tax receipt for the amount of the tickets. Visit www.fordcenter.org or call 662-915-7411 for more information. Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 4 Thursday, March 3 Friday, March 4 Saturday, March 5 Town Sounds Town Sounds • Parrish’s: Mister Baby, Ian Thomas, and Paul Lee Kupfer • Rooster’s Blues House: Brandon Lay • Blind Pig: Elemovements • Proud Larry’s: Yelawolf with Cyhi Da Prynce and DJ Quickie Mart • Two Stick: Watching the Moon • Parrish’s: The Silverbacks • Blind Pig: The Minor Adjustments • Rooster’s Blues House: Down 2 Five (Classic Rock) • Two Stick: DJ Gordo • Proud Larry’s: Sic Alps and Flight Other Events • Off Square Books – Thacker Mountain Radio – 6 p.m. – Author Randy Wayne White will read from and sign his new book “Night Vision.” Musical guests: Ian Thomas and Paul Lee Kupfer • Rowan Oak – William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak IS OPEN – 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. every Sunday. The property will be closed every Monday. • The University Museum – “The Civil Rights Struggle: African American G.I.s in Germany” – On exhibit through March 12. Located at 5th & University Ave., Museum hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Closed Sunday, Monday and most university holidays. For more information, E-mail [email protected] or call 662-915-7073. • Faulkner Room, JD Williams Library Exhibition: “This Fiery Trial” Civil War exhibit open Monday–Friday during regular library hours. For more information, e-mail [email protected]. Sunday, March 6 • Rowan Oak – William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak IS OPEN – 1-4 p.m. today – The property is closed every Monday. Monday, March 7 Town Sounds • Rooster’s Blues House: Karaoke • Proud Larry’s/Lyric Theater: Animal Shelter Benefit featuring tons of local musicians and bands. Proud Larry’s music begins at 5 p.m. and the Lyric’s music begins at 7. Other Events • Ford Center – 11:30 a.m. – L-O-U Symphony’s Children’s Concert – 8 p.m. Soloists Concert: The Department of Music at the University of Mississippi is presenting its second concert of the 2010-2011 season today at 11:30 a.m. at the Ford Center. Admission is free but space is limited. RSVP to Dr. Ronald Vernon at w or 662-816-3417 – (See Page 5). At 8 p.m., the L-O-U Symphony Orchestra will present its Student Soloists Concert at the Ford Center. The winners of the Student Soloists Concert this year are Dairuo Feng who will perform the first movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 1” in C major; Lindsey Mask Langley, a senior music education major from Corinth who will perform Carl Maria von Weber’s “Clarinet Concertino” in C minor; and Jesse Martin, a junior music education major from Batesville who will perform the first movement of Henri Tomasi’s “Concerto” for saxophone. Tickets are $10 and $6 for students with ID. They may be ordered at the UM Box Office at www.olemiss.edu/depts/tickets/. Town Sounds • Blind Pig: Ironwood Bluff with Wooden Finger • Rooster’s Blues House: – Blind Mississippi Morris • Proud Larry’s: Jimbo Mathus and The Tri-State Coalition • Two Stick: T-Model Ford • Parrish’s: The Paranormals Other Events • Rowan Oak – William Faulkner’s Rowan Oak IS OPEN – 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. – Tuesday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. every Sunday. The property will be closed every Monday. • Ford Center – 8 p.m. – The Russian National Ballet is bringing its acclaimed production of “Swan Lake” to the University of Mississippi’s Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts for one show tonight at 8 p.m. Turn to Page 5 for details. • University Museum – All Day Event – Gee’s Bend Family Activity Day – Join The University Museum for a come-and-go day of crafts and quilts with your family. Explore the current exhibition, A Survey of Gee’s Bend Quilts, with your family and create a unique craft to take home. The event is $5 for non-members and free for museum members at the family level and above. To reserve a spot, call 662-915-7073. • Bozarts Gallery – 403 Main Street, Water Valley – 6-9 p.m. Bozarts Gallery presents work by artists Aynslee Moon, David Race and new gourd scuptures and art dolls by Gabriella Delawey. The exhibit last through tomorrow. Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Call 662-473-2484 for more information. • Bozarts Gallery – ENDS TODAY – 403 Main Street, Water Valley – 6-9 p.m. Bozarts Gallery presents work by artists Aynslee Moon, David Race and new gourd scuptures and art dolls by Gabriella Delawey. The exhibit last through March 5. Gallery hours are Friday and Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Call 662-4732484 for more information. • The University Museum – “The Civil Rights Struggle: African American G.I.s in Germany” – On exhibit through March 12. Located at 5th & University Ave., Museum hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Closed Sunday, Monday and most university holidays. For more information, E-mail [email protected] or call 662-915-7073. • The University Museum – “The Civil Rights Struggle: African American G.I.s in Germany” – On exhibit through March 12. Located at 5th & University Ave., Museum hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Closed Sunday, Monday and most university holidays. For more information, E-mail [email protected] or call 662-915-7073. Other Events Tuesday, March 8 Wednesday, March 9 Town Sounds Town Sounds • Rooster’s Blues House: Open Mic Night • Rooster’s Blues House Oxford: Karaoke • Two Stick: Two Stick Trivia • Snackbar – Wednesday Night Music Series: Garry Burnside Other Events • The University Museum – A Survey of Gee’s Bend Quilts – On exhibit through April 2. Located at 5th & University Ave., Museum hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Closed Sunday, Monday and most university holidays. For more information, E-mail [email protected] or call 662-915-7073. • Special Collections/Archives, JD Williams Library, Art Exhibit: “Walter Anderson and World Literature,” Library hours: 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. • The University Museum – “The Civil Rights Struggle: African American G.I.s in Germany” – On exhibit through March 12. Located at 5th & University Ave., Museum hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Closed Sunday, Monday and most university holidays. For more information, E-mail [email protected] or call 662-915-7073. Other Events • Off Square Books – 5 p.m. – Author Yann Martel discusses, reads from and signs his new book “Beatrice And Virgil: A Novel” at 5 p.m. at Off Square Books. • The University Museum – “The Civil Rights Struggle: African American G.I.s in Germany” – On exhibit through March 12. For more information, E-mail [email protected] or call 662-915-7073. • Special Collections/Archives, JD Williams Library, Art Exhibit: “Walter Anderson and World Literature,” Library hours: 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday, 7 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. Submissions for placement consideration in Oxford Town’s Community Calendar should be received by Tuesday at 5 p.m. Events will be placed on a first-come, first-serve basis as space permits. Submit your information and images to; [email protected] or [email protected]. You may also drop off your photos and information for Jeff McVay at The Oxford EAGLE office located at 916 Jackson Ave., just off the Square. Yelawolf Get a serious dose of rap tonight as Yelawolf, CyHi da Prynce and DJ Quickie Mart join forces to light up the Proud Larry’s stage. Yelawolf signed with Columbia Records in 2007, but was released from the label the same year. In 2010, he made a guest appearance on Bizarre’s Friday Night at St. Andrews, as well as albums by Big Boi, Paul Wall and Juelz Santana. His mixtape, “Trunk Muzik 0-60,” was his first project with a major label, and was released in November of 2010 under Ghet-O-Vision Entertainment and Interscope Records. Yelawolf was featured on the cover of XXL’s March 2011 issue, alongside Eminem and fellow Shady Records mates, Slaughterhouse. His first studio album in six years, “Radioactive,” is scheduled for release this summer. Catch Yelawolf with fellow-rappers CyHi da Prynce and DJ Quickie Mart tonight (Thursday, March 3). Doors open at 7 and the music begins at 8. Tickets for the 18+ show are $12 and can be purchased online at www.proudlarrys.com or tonight at the door. DJ Quickie Mart CyHi da Prynce Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 L-O-U Symphony Student Concert 5 The Department of Music at the University of Mississippi is presenting its second concert of the 2010-2011 season on Monday, March 7, at 11:30 a.m at the Ford Center. The concert is titled L-O-U Symphony Student Soloists Concert. The concert is held especially for students in elementary grades and is under the direction of Dr. Ronald Vernon. Admission to the concert is free, however, participants would be responsible for transportation. Ample bus parking is available. Organizers ask teachers and administrators to RSVP with their estimated number of students so that they can better prepare. Reservations are required and space is limited. For more information about the concert or any of the compositions, contact Vernon at [email protected] or 662-816-3417. 6 Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 ���������� Rock Star From Mars ���������������������� ���������������������� Loose lips sink sense ��������������������������� ��������������������� ���������������������������������� vocative ruling by the Supreme Court. This week the Court upheld the free speech rights of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. You may recall these folks as the ones who picket the funerals of dead soldiers in the name of anti-homosexuality. They hold up signs saying “Thank God For Dead Soldiers,” and “God Hates Your Tears,” and the highest court in our land, a pretty conservative bunch, held up their right to do it. “Speech is powerful,” Chief Justice Roberts Jr. wrote for the majority. “It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and — as it did here — inflict great pain.” And yet, having said that, the court rules that the right of free speech is more powerful than any hateful words that might be uttered. We live in a country where you can even burn our national flag and you won’t be arrested because that is considered free speech. Like the man said, speech is powerful. BY JIM DEES Nothing but a big bunch of nothing, driving me insane. But there ain’t no voice that’s louder than the one inside my brain. —John Prine, “Quit Hollerin’ at Me” (1995) M aybe free speech isn’t such a good idea. Last week saw that precious right abused more than in recent memory. Wherever one looked — on TV, Internet, newspapers, magazines — there was talk, talk and more talk, much of it pure madness. It started with the Academy Awards, a show that is still probably going on somewhere. Here we had people dressed to kill and just itchin’ to spew. They talked on the red carpet, they talked in the hall, they talked in the aisle and they talked in the car. And they thanked and they kissed up. The music would start playing which only made them talk faster. The next morning there was Charlie Shun, uh, Sheen. He gives free speech a whole new, well, sheen. Man, can he talk! His wild words are ricocheting around the Internet, turning the rantings of a sweaty coke fiend into catch phrases: “Winning! Duh.” “I am on a drug — it’s called Charlie Sheen,” he told ABC. “It’s not available because if you try it once, you will die. Your face will melt off, and your children will weep over your exploded body. Too much?” He also allowed that, “My brain fires in a way that is — I don’t know, maybe not from this particular terrestrial realm.” True dat. Makes one feel sorry for Lindsay Lohan. She seems down right boring at this point. The New York Times likened Good Time Charlie to Moammar Gadhafi. Seems ole Moammar does more than murmur; he can’t stop talking either. His gibberish almost makes the Snark of Sheen sound sane. The paper cited the dictator telling CNN that the Libyan people “love him.” He insisted there was no trouble in the streets. If there are any demonstrators, they are “on drugs,” he said. As the Times’ Alessandra Stanley wrote: “Self-delusion has no borders.” • Buzz Off: Travails with Charlie Changing the channel, I found more selfdelusion in the corpulent visage of our sitting governor, who seems to be doing more running than sitting — and talking. He’ll go to Iowa to talk. He’ll go to New Hampshire to talk. He’ll answer any question, at any time, in any time zone. Call him Haley’s Comment. For all his talk he has to know he’ll never be president. Perhaps he is simply positioning himself so he’ll have the next president’s ear… in which to talk some more. The street action in Libya and elsewhere across the Middle East takes free speech to exhilarating heights. Here in America we talk a good game about freedom, but how many of us would risk our lives for it? After a generation of autocrats laying down the law and giving lip service to free speech, the people of the Middle East acquired cell phones, and thus, a closed window to the world was thrown open. The result has been more than cheap talk. It all points up the power of words. This power was further underscored by a pro- These liars warn’t no kings nor dukes, at all, but just low-down humbugs and frauds. —Mark Twain, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” (1884) Last month a publisher in Alabama released a new version of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” The publication became noteworthy when it was revealed the publisher had excised the “N-word” every time it appeared (219 times) and replaced it with the word “slave.” As one pundit noted, “Not exactly a promotion.” One wonders what would happen if someone sued the publisher and took the case to the Supreme Court. Speech is powerful and the dreaded “N-word,” is more powerful than most. The publisher says it made the changes to help put the book back on high school reading lists. This is free speech overkill. Most high schoolers don’t need protection from harsh words (too late) or from literature for that matter. Let them read Huck Finn and Faulkner and Barry Hannah. Let them hear Snoop Dog and yes, let them hear Charlie Sheen. Free speech is beautiful … even when it’s ugly. Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 Ironwood Bluff Blind Pig – March 4 7 TOO BUSY? Let us run your errands for you. Shopping Paying Bills Buying Groceries Around Town Delivery Meal Delivery Oxford Taxi Available 24/7 • Luxury at No Extra Cost (662)701-7310 Reservations: (617) 620-5439 Introducing Shuttle Service to Castlehill every Sunday@$10 each way Professional Drivers Under Control THURSDAY All You Can Eat Catfish Happy Hour 3-7: 1/2 Off Appetizers & 2 for 1 Domestics & Wells Ironwood Bluff is a mixed breed ... a mutt. The band is familiar, but you can’t quite put your finger on what that is. They look like an ordinary band, but deep down you know there is something else. Similar to how a street dog shows up, stays by your side, and grows to be a great friend — such is Ironwood Bluff. When describing the Tupelo band’s music, it’s tough to pick out a distinguishing factor. Much like a mutt, there is a little bit of a lot of things in this band. Be it the bluegrass twang that flows in and out of songs like a meandering stream, a country tune that makes you stomp your foot, a southern rock jam that makes you want to eat a peach or a little bit of pop that wails like the baying of a hound — when it’s all jammed together, Ironwood Bluff create merry music that you never want to leave. Ironwood Bluff, brought together by random coincidence, pile on the sound heavy with a feel good feeling. They push the envelope of music as we know it. These men have grown to become excellent stage performers in a tight and harmonious fashion. With each song that arises, new energy and soggy stories evolve into an experience you don’t want to miss. Catch Ironwood Bluff at The Blind Pig tomorrow night (Friday, March 4). Wooden Finger is set to open the show. And, be sure to clear your schedule for the Elemovements tonight (Thursday, March 3) and local rockers The Minor Adjustments on Saturday, March 5. —Michael Addison open on sundays WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9 at 5 p.m. Off Square Books ����������� ����� ������������� ������ ��������������������������� THURSDAY, MARCH 10 at 6 p.m. THACKER MOUNTAIN RADIO ��������������� ����� �������� ��������� ����������������������������������� ON THE SQUARE IN OXFORD All events are held at Off Square Books unless noted Call 236-2262 for details or to reserve signed copies. www.squarebooks.com 8 Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 No need to reserve judgment on A.K.: This season’s burnt T BY STEVEN GODFREY his Ole Miss basketball season is absolutely over. That’s one of those fancy, short, single sentence leads that newspaper columnists use to emphasize a dramatic point. Something about the stark declaration — creating an entire paragraph for a single thought — really jazzes up the ink-stained wretches. It’s because, when seen in print, such declarations seem more important, whether they deserve to be or not. Watch: Even Tad Smith Coliseum can’t shelter Ole Miss basketball from the coming storm. Or: I love steak burritos. Newspaper columnists abhor traditional paragraphs because much like the complicated microwave boxes all those young persons are using to complain about newspapers and watch pornography, paragraphs are far too “busy.” I’m hesitant to employ such a device, but you can’t argue with its simplicity, and that’s the level of assurance I’ve got that Ole Miss will in no possible way upset their way to an NCAA Tournament bid. You can give up now without the slightest pang of remorse, and do so with a 100 percent certainty that Andy Kennedy’s squad has absolutely no chance of winning the SEC Tournament in Atlanta next week. In the previous four seasons the Rebels have gone 1-4 in conference tournament play. Ole Miss hasn’t won a SEC Tournament game since March 9, 2007. Since that win against LSU, the Rebels have been run right off the floor of whatever neutral site they’ve duped the hardest of hardcore Ole Miss fans into showing up at. The lone exception might be the ’08 overtime loss to eventual Cinderella tourney champ Georgia, who tore the fabric of college basketball’s continuum of logic, evidenced by a tornado trying to eat the Georgia Dome. If the Rebels are able to close out the regular season with wins against Auburn and Arkansas, the argument will surface that this current squad has far more talent than that Cinderella UGA team. If we’re handing out the poison, I like a reliably portioned grape KoolAid: Kennedy has never coached this team through four quality conference opponents, ever. During his five seasons at Ole Miss, Kennedy has only run a fourgame winning streak against conference foes twice, in the middle of 2007 (beating Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama and LSU) and to close out last season (beating Auburn, Alabama, LSU and Arkansas). Those two runs were as consistent as Kennedy’s ever been in SEC play, and seven of those eight wins were against teams that finished the season under .500. Kennedy won’t have the luxury of facing four inferior teams no matter how the bracket plays out, and a handful of likely opponents (Florida, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State) are automatic losses. Five weeks ago I listed the eight teams in the Big Six conferences who share or surpass Ole Miss’ streak of March Madness no-shows, and of the seven other schools that haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2002 (Oregon State, Nebraska, St. John’s, Penn State, South Florida, Rutgers, Northwestern), that list is guaranteed to shrink in two weeks: The Johnnies are red-hot, and both Nebraska and Penn State are sitting on the bubble, albeit the south side. Start asking these questions. This sea- ����������� Thursday 3.3 - Yelawolf with special guests CyHi da Prynce and DJ Quickie Mart Saturday 3.5 - Sic Alps and Flight Thursday 3.10 - Futurebirds Friday 3.11 - Young Buffalo with Holiday Shores and Idiot Glee Saturday 3.12 - Amy Lavere with Cheyenne Marie Mize Tickets On Sale at www.proudlarrys.com ��������� �������� ���������� �������������� �������� son is absolutely over, barring yet another NIT bid, which, despite a decade of Shreveport-style conditioning to Ole Miss fans, I still consider the end of a season. Measure the worth of SportsCenter worthy wins over Kentucky and Alabama against the acclaim, prestige and financial windfall that even a single one-and-done appearance in the NCAA Tournament could’ve brought this program in the last five years. The debate over Kennedy’s future at Ole Miss should be held, and it should be a serious one. I haven’t made a concrete decision one way or the other, but that’s exactly why the fan base should employ that tacky tactical maneuver of the newspaper columnist. At what point is it more of an insult to the program to not fire a coach who can’t create any kind of consistency in conference play? Is the lack of funding a bigger insult? Has there ever been a more embarrassing facilities gaffe in Division 1 basketball than the “rainout” at the women’s game vs. Tennessee last week? Does Kennedy have a pass because hoops is the distant third of the “Big 3” Ole Miss sports in terms of popularity? Moreover, are fans and journalists (and “journo-tainers” such as myself) hesitant to call for a change because we’re smitten with Kennedy’s quotable, affable nature? Almost a decade’s worth of students have passed through Oxford without experiencing March Madness. Do Ole Miss fans even care any more? (Editor’s note: Steven Godfrey is a freelance writer based in Nashville. He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter, @IACGodfrey). $ 4 99 THE BIG DEAL Large Pepperoni Pizza Ready to Go! Carry-Out Only 1603 West Jackson Avenue 662-236-3030 Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 9 Baby: Va. rocker wraps up Oxford saturation tonight Continued from Page 3 Huddleston warmed up the evening with a short acoustic set as people began arriving. Highlights from her set included her signature original “Dream On” which set the tone for the rest of the evening. Huddleston has the ability of keeping listeners intrested and intrigued as she opens up her heart over catchy acoustic rhythms and pristine guitar rifts. After a short set, Paul Lee Kupfer and Ian Thomas (who are currently touring with Mister Baby) took the stage as Huddleston casually mingled throughout the crowd talking to her friends and fans. Kupfer and Thomas, an amazing acoustic duo, flawlessly switched off between guitar and drums. Both musicians had opportunities to show off their vocal range, harmoniz- ing perfectly together. Their songs are nothing short of catchy, toe-tapping love songs that inspire an overall positive mentality. When it seemed it couldn’t possibly get any better, the duo broke out kazoos and laid down improvisational solos over their music. It was an absolute pleasure to hear something so unique and refreshing. Huddleston took the spotlight one final time as she graced the audience with a final acoustic set. Keeping the atmosphere as laid-back as possible, she took requests and explained the inspiration for her songs after she was done playing. Highlights included “Lawn Chair” and “One Eye Open” as Mister Baby closed out the evening of improvised folk/rock. Huddleston has truly found a home away from home right here in our beautiful town. “It’s so great to come back to Oxford, I absolutely love it here. The fact I can come down and play some live music is nothing short of a blessing and it’s such a pleasure to play for such great people,” Huddleston said, sporting a smile and a glow in her eyes. Huddleston has a full LP release titled “Lucky You!” that was independently recorded in Richmond, Va. She just finished a new EP titled “Toothpick Town” with four new songs, padding her already vast repertoire. Some advice from a new fan: Cancel whatever plans you have tonight and catch Huddleston’s final Oxford gig – at least her last one for a while — at Parrish’s just off the Square on Jackson Ave. Tour mates Kupfer and Thomas; catch them this evening at at Thacker Mountain Radio at Off Square Books at 6. MIKE STANTON So you think you can dance? I t was in middle school I believe. Gym class is where I and 65 other Buster Brown-wearing kids learned social dance. It covered all the dances that a well rounded person of age 12 needed to know; the Virginia Reel, Square Dancing and the wedding necessary Hustle (or as it is referred to now as the Electric Slide). I asked why we did not have to learn the origins and cultural roots of the chicken dance only to be rewarded with the pleasure of dancing with the tallest girl in the class. WAYNE Twelve may not have been ANDREWS the best age for me to learn to appreciate dance but it is someYAC Director thing that lingers on. I may only be able to recall the “allemande left” but the three weeks of dance class in public school introduced us to dance and that it could be enjoyable, graceful and a nice break from getting checked in floor hockey. Three weeks may not seem enough time to make an impression, but just gaining the insight that dance can be interesting, opens the possibility that artistic dance may be more interesting than anything learned on a gym floor between social studies and lunch. Mississippi has a strong tradition in dance. Jackson is home to the ballet competition. Oxford has a leading position in Mississippi’s dance culture. The University of Mississippi has an award winning dance troupe in its theatre program. The Ford Center brings internationally recognized performers and programs. Now, the Powerhouse Community Arts Center will be adding dance to a regular schedule of programs. Jimmyle Listenbee, a board member of the Arts Council and a strong figure in the dance community, has been working to encourage local dance troupes to look beyond the limitations of the building. She encouraged groups that if the space was used for dance, the equipment and tools needed to present dance would follow. She demonstrated this by creating programs through her group (Leda Swan, Inc.) and offering dance classes for all ages, concerts and performances. Her efforts helped to generate donations, matched by other arts groups and the Arts Council, to purchase equipment. Then other groups started using The Powerhouse to teach ballroom dance, hold sock hops and, most recently, a swing dance contest. Oxford, for the next two months, not only will be the focal point of dance in Mississippi but for the Southeast. It started with Mississippi — a Dance Company presented a multi-media concert entitled “Uganda: Come & See — Go & Tell.” The Arts Council will begin ballroom dance classes on March 3, while the Ford Center will present “Swan Lake” on March 4. Front Porch Dance ensemble will perform on March 26 at the Powerhouse. And, most anticipated, will be the performance by the dance troupe Hinge which started as a student-created dance company in the University of Mississippi’s Department of Theatre Arts. The company, now lead by graduates of the university, has reformed as an independent dance company and is set to perform at the Powerhouse. Their first production, titled “Bittersweet,” is set for April 8-9. This celebration of dance culminates with Leda Swan, Inc’s final planned production, “Etta and Nina at the Crossroads” at the Powerhouse on April 15-16. The visionary who encourages everyone to dance has ensured that Oxford will be a focal point in dance in the Mid-South. 10% OFF WINE PACKAGE STORE 308 Jackson Ave. With This Coupon Voted Oxford’s Favorite Wine & Spirits Store! Thursday, March 3 -�Elemovements Saturday, March 4 -�Ironwood Bluff with Wooden Finger Saturday, March 5 -�The Minor Adjustments • Gourmet Salads & Sandwiches featuring Boar’s Head Meats & Cheeses • 17 Draft Beers • Daily Lunch Specials • Comedy Night every other Tuesday Night MONDAYS - $2 Domestics TUESDAYS - $3 Jager Bombs WEDNESDAYS - Ladies Night, 3 for 1 Wine NO COVER • 21 AND OVER 105 N. Lamar • 662-234-5119 The Oxford Square 10 etc...... Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 BZAR By Jeff Curtis Sudoku Puzzles courtesy of American Profile Hometown Content — Answers on page 11 — Puzzel solutions from Page 10 MEGAN HUDDLESTON PHOTOS BY MIKE STANTON Oxford Town #916 • March 3-9, 2011 MORE MISTER BABY 11 �� ���������������������������������� Professionally installing watch batteries for 30 years. ���������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������� ���������������������������������� ����������������� ��������� ������������������ ���������������������������� ��������������������������� ���������������������������� ����������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������� ����������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������� ����������������������������� ����������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������ ��������������������������� ��������������������������� ������������������������������ �������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������������������ ���������������������������� �������������������������� ��������������������������� ���������������������������� ������������������������ ����������������� ���������������������������� �������������������������� �������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������� ��������������������������� ����������������������� ������������������������� ���������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������ ����������������������������� �������������������������� �������� � ����������������������� ��������������������������� ���������������������������� ����������������������������� ������������������������� �������������������������� ������������������������� ������������������������� ���������������������� � ��������������������������� ������������������������ ������������������������� ������������������ ������� ������� 1126 North Lamar Blvd. 662-234-2777 Prevent the Leading Cause of Disability Call 662-281-0771 now for your free report or to schedule an appointment. 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