MCC’s Arts & Letters Series celebrates the Art of Connection
Meridian Community College’s Arts & Letters Series continues its Art of Connection theme this spring with a lineup of performances that highlight music, theater, dance, and community programs, featuring events designed to bring high-quality, affordable arts experiences to the Meridian area.
“Arts & Letters’ Art of Connection season celebrates the power of the arts to bring people together across generations, cultures, and stories,” said Kayla Fuentes, director of the Arts & Letters Series. From jazz-age glamour and global folk traditions to youth voices, opera, ballet, and Shakespeare, each event invites audiences to experience how music, movement, and storytelling connect people.
“This season offers Meridian a shared space to gather, feel, and be inspired together,” Fuentes added.
The agenda includes:
Distinguished Young Women of Lauderdale County
Feb. 21 | 7 p.m.
McCain Theater
The Distinguished Young Women (DYW) of Lauderdale County program celebrates the achievements of local young women through scholarship, leadership, and personal growth. Formerly known as America’s Junior Miss, the program has supported students nationwide since 1958.
Today, DYW is open to all 11th-grade young women and focuses on scholastics, interview skills, talent, fitness, and on-stage self-expression. Participants gain confidence, learn public speaking and interview skills, and build friendships while preparing for life after high school and college. Entry into the program is free, and scholarships encourage students to attend local colleges and universities.
Gatsby at the Quave
Feb. 27 | 7 p.m.
Quave Student Life Center
Join in for a ticketed night of fun, food, mocktails, and dancing with Dr. Warren Ertle’s Corpse Revivers. This high-energy, eight-piece hot jazz band brings the sound and style of the 1920s and 1930s to life with music by Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and other legends. Guests are encouraged to dress in costumes or period-inspired looks and step back into the golden age of jazz. Enjoy live music, dancing, and a night that captures the spirit of the Jazz Age and the 1920s.
MCC Dimensions
March 26 | 7 p.m.
McCain Theater
Get ready for an evening of music as MCC’s Dimensions singers and band take the McCain Theater stage. The show features a lively mix of pop, rock, and more, combining vocals, choreography, and a live band. Directed by Tammy Miles, with Mitch Brantley as artistic director and Daniel Boles as technical director, the performance highlights some of MCC’s talented student musicians.
Eklektiko
April 20 | 6 p.m.
MCC Foundation Chapel
Eklektiko is a guitar and piano/vocal duo that explores music from the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and beyond. Guitarist Tanja Mirić and mezzo-soprano Sarah Waters perform traditional folk songs from Bosnia, Croatia, and Greece, along with classical and contemporary works. Their program takes listeners on an expressive musical journey, from folk melodies to salon-style pieces.
Opera Birmingham: ‘The Three Little Pigs’
April 25 | 10 a.m.
McCain Theater
Opera Birmingham presents a fun, musical twist to the classic story of The Three Little Pigs. Set to music inspired by Mozart, the production follows three pigs as they learn the value of hard work, teamwork, and smart choices while outwitting the Big Bad Wolf. This light opera is a great introduction to live performance for children and adults alike.
Meridian Ballet: ‘Beauty and the Beast’
May 16 | 6 p.m.
McCain Theater
Meridian Ballet brings the beloved fairy tale Beauty and the Beast to life through dance. This classic story of love, kindness, and transformation features choreography, colorful costumes, and music that will delight audiences of all ages.
Stage 2: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
June 5-7 | 7 p.m.
McCain Theater
Stage 2 closes the Arts & Letters Series season with Shakespeare’s comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by Hunter Dungan, the production follows fairies, lovers, and a group of well-meaning actors as their worlds collide in an enchanted forest. Filled with humor, romance, and imagination, the show is brought to life by Stage 2’s young performers.
For more information about the Arts & Letters Series, contact Fuentes at 601.484.8678 or visit meridiancc.edu/artsandletters.