Jackson Free Press

Spoken Word in the City

The chatter in the colorful, dimly lit back room at Cultural Expressions in West Jackson hushes to a whisper as Mariama Guice calmly approaches the vintage microphone. The audience leans …

Master of Puppets

For generations of American children, Jim Henson's imagination is hard to distinguish from their own. Henson's Sesame Street characters and Muppets have become enduring archetypes: Miss Piggy, the personification of …

Dysfunctional Splendor

New Stage Theatre brings theater-goers another southern comedy with "Dividing the Estate" by Horton Foote. Set in Harrison, Texas, the play portrays the Gordon family and its struggle to hold …

Trekking Hallowed Ground

Steve Cheseborough delves into the complex history of the blues in his third edition of "Blues Traveling: The Holy Sites of Delta Blues" (University of Mississippi Press, 2008, $22).

Everybody's Fine

While "Everybody's Fine" may appear to be a light-hearted comedic drama, it plays out more like real life: full of ups and down with a little humor strewn here and …

Fly: Recipes For The Plug-In Cauldron

Halloween lore has it that witches stirred potions in their cauldrons constantly, breaking rhythm only to wipe dripping saliva from the corners of their mouths with wart-covered hands, or to …

Spring Fest 2009

Next week, The Commons at Eudora Welty's Birthplace kicks off Spring Fest 2009, with various nightly events leading up to a big festival Saturday.

Trial in the Desert

The year is 1942. The United States has just entered World War II, but England still stands almost alone against the Axis powers. Germany's Afrika Korps and their Italian allies, …

Small Town, Big Mystery

Critics have hailed Tom Franklin's latest novel, "Crooked Letter Crooked Letter" (William Morrow, 2010, $24), as his best and most accessible work to date.

BARKEEP: Laura Collins

Get to know your local barkeep.

[Rev] Blowing Sunshine Up Your Nose

Like many of you, I stayed up all night watching the election returns. The brilliant Dan Rather turns-of-phrase—"His lead is thinner than turnip soup" and "Are your fingernails sweating, yet?" …

[Art Buzz] Vol. 7, No. 6

On stage: Rocky Horror Show, To Kill a Mockingbird; in theaters: "W"; opening: "New Traditions" at Sanaa Gallery.

School Movies

OK, some are better than others, but all the following movies set in one way or another in a school are worth renting, if for no other reason than to …

Shish Your Kebabs

Recently, my husband and I went to a local Mediterranean restaurant with several friends. It was late, and everyone was starving, so we ordered an appetizer plate. As we passed …

One Woman's Courage

The road leading into Meerwala is a packed-earth track between green farmer's fields. In this remotest corner of Pakistan, the village has no school and no police.

[Drink] Smoothie Operator

When my niece Sasha comes over, she heads for the raspberry patch. When her pile is big enough, we make the world's best smoothie.

*Jackson Newbie: Urban Living FAQ

What media should I turn to for the most in-depth news?

After you've read the Jackson Free Press online and in print, head to The Sun Herald online. Then check out The Magnolia Report for around-the-state offerings. If you're more of …

[Wine] D.I.Y. Wine Tasting

It starts with the spark of an idea (usually over drinks) and involves 10 willing friends (who enjoy wine and its relaxing buzz). Invent a theme, grab some cocktail food …

Have Some Paneer, My Dear

As a kid, my momma used to drag me into the local health-food store about once a week. The pungent aroma their contents exuded fascinated me. I wanted to know …

Smokey Joe's Café

If you're in the mood to bob your head to some upbeat oldies while taking in a visual dancing spectacle, don't miss New Stage Theatre's "Smokey Joe's Café."