Enjoy an entire month filled with arts events and celebrations honoring Ron Shapiro.

Schedule of Events:

August 4th, 2023

Sanctuary Arts Festival

6 pm-8 pm: Art Crawl

A self-guided tour starting at The Graduate.

August 5th, 2023

Sanctuary Arts Festival

Noon-5 pm: Studio Tour

Proceed at your own pace and explore artist studios through Lafayette county. Meet at Powerhouse Community Arts Center from Noon-1 pm to pick up maps.

6 pm: Art Slam

Join artists from across Mississippi who will be showing selected works as they tell a 3 minute story about the inspiration behind the work.  Vote for your favorite story. The artist with the best story wins $500.

7 pm-9 pm: Art Lounge with DJ Bradley Gordon

Stay after the Art Slam for music by DJ Bradley Gordon, talk to artists, and grab a cocktail from the lobby bar.

Location: The Graduate Ballroom

7:30 pm: Theatre Oxford Presents Almost, Maine

Almost, Maine by John Cariani is an evening of short plays exploring love and loss in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. The show broke box office records when it premiered at the Portland Stage Company. Since then, it has become one of the most popular plays in the United States based on number of productions.

Selected by the American National Theatre as one of the most outstanding regional theatre productions of the 2004-2005 season, Theatre Oxford and Yoknapatawpha Arts Council invite you to see this performance for free as part of the Hoka Days festival!

Reserve your seat here!

Location: The Powerhouse

August 6th, 2023

2 pm-8 pm: The Block Party Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop

Come celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop at The Block Party! The event will feature music, food, performances and art! Admission is free!

Vednors include Fresh Out The Water, Oxsicles Popsicles, Bar Muse, End of All Music, and more!

Location: Old Armory Pavilion

August 11th, 2023

6 pm: Iron Bartender

The contest is simple. A bartender version of Iron Chef with a twist. Come learn about cocktails, connect with the talented bartenders in the area, and taste all the contest cocktails!

More info and tickets available here!

Location: The Powerhouse

August 13th, 2023

5 pm-9 pm: Community Game Night

Join us for a night of games, learning, and fun! Learn a new game like Magic the Gathering or Warhammer 40k! Play your favorite games meeting new friends! Board games galore! Classics and some off the wall!

Register here to let us know you’re coming!

Location: Powerhouse

August 15th, 2023

7 pm: Anubis Improv Presents It Takes Two

It Takes Two is an improv comedy show presented by Anubis Improv for Hoka Days. We'll feature Kinross Kasunick, an improv duo comprised of Maggie White and David James Hamilton, and the brand new pairing of Hannah Allen and Connor King. Join us in celebrating duos and the magic that's born of two brains melding onstage!

Free admission!  

Reserve your seat here!

Location: Powerhouse

August 17th, 2023

6 pm: The Snackdown

A pop up food event highlighting local food entrepreneurs from bakers, food trucks, distillers and farms.

Tickets include samples of food, cocktails, and beverages made in Mississippi.

Proceeds support the Commercial Kitchen at the Humanities Hub

Tickets available here!

Location: Powerhouse

August 18th, 2023

7 pm: Living the Dance

A gift of dance from the hearts of dancers! Come enjoy a variety of dance styles!

Act One: Sea Change

LedaSwan Choreographer/Director Kido Jimmyle Listenbee and her company of seasoned performers present the universal life-journey of Homer's Odyssey through ballet and clown-based styles ranging from exquisite beauty through grotesque comedy.  Be prepared to laugh and possibly cry!

Act Two: Astarte

Choreographer/Teacher Rachel Coleman and her local students present the ancient North African/Egyptian dance-style of Raks Sharqi as an eloquent form of fine art.  Known in the West since the Chicago World Fair of 1893 as "Bellydance," this style reveals endless mysteries of the spiral, while presenting new ones!  Be prepared to be mesmerized and delighted!

Free admission!

Snacks and refreshments provided. Suitable for all ages with special pillow seats down front for kids and families

Reserve your seat here!

Location: Powerhouse

August 25th, 2023

5 pm: Remembering Ronzo Second Line & Concert

Celebrate Ron with a free second line and concert.

Meet at the Graduate Hotel at 5 pm for cocktails! The Second Line starts at 5:30 pm outside the Graduate Hotel and will proceed to the Powerhouse where the party continues with music from Oxford musicians in a jam session!  

Location: The Powerhouse

6 pm-7:30 pm: Friday Night 30th Anniversary Power Ranger Dinner

Includes Dinner with Power Rangers from Taylor Grocery and special VIP badge and 8x10 custom art!

Stay for the the Yu-Gi-Oh Card Game hosted by Gamerz Den starting at 7:30 pm. This requires a separate ticket!

Tickets are $45 a person and include VIP early admission at 9 am to Nerd-vana Con at the Powerhouse Community Arts Center (413 S. 14th St.) on Saturday, August 26th.

Tickets and more info about Nerd-vana Con available here!

Location: Lafayette County Multi-Purpose Arena

August 26th, 2023

10 AM-10 PM: Nerd-Vana: Anime, Comics & Games

The Nerd-vana Convention returns to the Powerhouse on August 26th 10 am to 8 pm! Early bird tickets on sale now! This year Nerd-vana is excited to present the 30th Anniversary Power Ranger Dinner on Friday, August 25th! Tickets include dinner and VIP admission to the con on Saturday! Tickets are very limited! This event is open to all ages and is perfect for gamers, comic enthusiasts, cosplayers, and nerds of all kinds!

Advance general admission to the 2023 Nerd-vana Con is $15. Admission at the door will be $20.

Tickets and more info about Nerd-vana Con available here!

Location: The Powerhouse

4-8 pm: WOWE: End of Summer Celebration

Join Women of Worth and Excellence (WOWE) for the End of Summer Festival! WOWE, formed in 2016, focuses on programming and resources that are aimed at providing participants with opportunities for spiritual, personal, educational, financial as well as professional growth.

The End of Summer Festival offers a showcase for local businesses, artists, and vendors with the goal of building a community of entrepreneurs.

Booths and more info available here!

Location: Old Armory Pavilion

Fest Date: August 4 - 26, 2023

Locations:
Graduate Oxford, 400 N Lamar Blvd, Oxford, MS 38655
The Powerhouse, 413 S 14th Street, Oxford, MS 38655
Old Armory Pavilion, 1801 University Ave, Oxford, MS 3865
5Lafayette County Multipurpose Arena, 70 F.D. Buddy E Pkwy, Oxford, MS 38655

Click here for more information.