Pop Up Oxford will kick off Sunday, January 22, and continue through Saturday, January 28, with events and programs celebrating Oxford’s rich cultural scene. The idea stemmed from discussion within the Visit Oxford office about how to generate more visitation to Oxford during an otherwise slow time of year. Pop Up Oxford was born through the idea of a Chautauqua \ an adult education movement that began at the beginning of the 20th century and brought together culture and entertainment in various formats including lectures, events and programs. Pop Up Oxford will encompass the idea of the Chautaqua movement by hosting various events, speakers, exhibits and musical components—all of which Oxford has become known for in celebrating its literary, musical and cultural heritage—and all within a week’s time. Visit Oxford has collaborated with various organizations, attractions and events to create a week-long schedule of activities for visitors and locals.
“Visit Oxford is excited to collaborate with so many different organizations and events to bring people to Oxford during an otherwise slow time of year. Pop Up Oxford highlights so many different things that Oxford has become known for culturally and offers something for everyone,” said Director of Visit Oxford, Mary Allyn Hedges.
The week-long cultural celebration will begin Sunday, January 22, with the Hotel Hop from 3:30 -7:30 p.m. Hotels around the Square will host a progressive food and drink tasting. The Hotel Hop will begin at the Visit Oxford office (1013 East Jackson Ave.) and will be hosted by the Chancellor’s House, which will offer fine wine and cheese pairings, followed by a stop at the Inn at Ole Miss, which will serve a hot soup and adult beverage combo to warm you up. The Green Roof Lounge at the Courtyard Marriott will host the next stop with a tapas menu and cocktail tasting. Finally, The Coop at the Graduate Hotel will round out the evening with a mixology demonstration and desserts. Participating hotels will be offering shuttle service and the Double Decker Bus will also be providing transportation to each stop. To purchase tickets for this event visit, www.PopUpOxfordMS.com.
“Pop Up Oxford is going to be a great event reminding everyone of all the amazing things Oxford has to offer. With the Hotel Hop to kick off the week, we look forward to showing tourists and residents in the area what incredible hotels we have. Every hotel has something unique to feature and we look forwarding to sharing that,” said Nadia Thornton, assistant general manager for the Inn at Ole Miss.
On Monday, January 23, the University Museum, in partnership with the Fiber Arts Festival, will host a filming of “A Century of Quilts: America in Cloth” at 7 p.m. which documents several of the 100 best quilts of the 20th century.
Pop Up Oxford will continue with a Pre-Art Crawl discussion with artist, Charlie Buckley at Southside Gallery at 4:30 p.m. prior to the free monthly Oxford Art Crawl on Tuesday, January 24. The Oxford Art Crawl will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. (note the special time), ending at the Ford Center for a reception prior to the performance of In the Mood: A 1940’s Musical Revue at 7:30 p.m. Mini Bits at The Edison will also be hosting an opening reception for new media artist, Mark Ramos, on Tuesday from 5-7p.m.
On Wednesday, January 25, there will be a screening of “Sorry We’re Open” sponsored by the Oxford Film Festival and “Eat or We Both Starve” and “Smoke and Ears” both by Joe York, followed by a discussion about food and film in Oxford and how it has changed with Ron Shapiro, Joe York, Alan Arrivee, and John T Edge at the Oxford Conference Center from 5:30-7 p.m.
The week culminates with the Fiber Arts Festival kicking off on Thursday, January 26, through Saturday, January 28. In addition to Fiber Arts Festival starting on Thursday, Thacker Mountain Radio will kick off their spring season at Off Square Books at 6 p.m. with author Tim Gautreaux and Diane Williams with the Mississippi Arts Commission. On Friday, the Fiber Arts Festival will host a breakfast and lecture with Diane Williams at the Powerhouse. Also on Friday, January 27, there will be a special shopping and dining event on the Square called Shop Up Oxford. Details for this event are underway.
Said Andi Bedsworth, Oxford Fiber Arts Fest coordinator, “We are so pleased that our seventh annual Oxford Fiber Arts Festival is being offered as part of Pop Up Oxford. With 16 vendors from eight states, 28 classes, children’s activities, lectures and receptions offered to celebrate traditional and modern fiber arts, there is sure to be something appealing to all ages.”
Pop Up Oxford rounds out the week on Saturday, January 28, with TEDx University of Mississippi at the Ford Center from 1-4 p.m. The Ole Miss Men’s Basketball team hosts Baylor University at the Pavilion at Ole Miss at 5 p.m.
“The Ford Center is pleased to be part of the Pop Up Oxford event. We welcome all who participate on January 24 to end the day at the Ford Center with a special reception and entertainment at 6:45 p.m. before our presentation of In the Mood at 7:30 p.m. This production includes a live band on stage with singers and dancers presenting songs from the 1930s and 1940s. Help us celebrate our men and women in uniform as part of this military appreciation event. Tickets are on sale now on line and at the UM Box Office,” said Julia Aubrey, director, Ford Center for the Performing Arts.
Off Square Books will also be hosting a variety of authors’ book signings throughout the week all beginning at 5pm including: Monday, January 23, with Susan Rivers signing The Second Mrs. Hockaday; Tuesday, January 24, with Mary Miller signing Always Happy Hour; and, Wednesday, January 25, with Kevin Wilson signing Perfect Little World.
There are additional events still being planned in conjunction with Pop Up Oxford, so visit www.PopUpOxfordMS.com for the latest event information or call the Visit Oxford office at 662-232-2477. For additional information on the Fiber Arts Festival, visit www.OxfordArts.com.
Participating hotels will be offering a discount to their regularly priced rooms to encourage visitors to come and enjoy many of these events. Hotels will offer 10% off of a one-night stay, 15% off of a two-night stay and 20% off of a three-night stay. Mention “Pop Up Oxford” when booking.
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Courtesy of Mary Allyn Hedges and Visit Oxford
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