Save the date for Storyfest to kick off Red Brick Roads weekend

By Sherry Lucas

After a successful Storyfest debut at last year’s Red Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival, this program of the Institute of Southern Storytelling at Mississippi College is back with another intriguing program to usher in Clinton’s biggest festival weekend.

Storyfest adds a film and culture element to a festival centered around its musical draw, pulling in additional creative avenues to celebrate.

This year, on Thursday, March 26, Clintonians are invited to gather at the institute at the Mississippi College Gore Arts Complex for Hollywood stories with Frank Ordaz, former matte artist with Industrial Light and Magic on films such as E.T., Return of the Jedi, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and more.

Attendees can listen in on a conversation between Joseph Lee Smith, author of the Southern crime novel Out on Yukon, and institute co-founder Anthony Thaxton, who created the gritty pen and ink drawings that illustrate Smith’s book.

Then, enjoy a live music performance from the student band The Broken Halos and catch the premiere of music videos featuring their original animation.

A meet and greet wraps up the evening, with a chance to visit with Ordaz and Smith, get posters and books signed, and more.

The event is 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. March 26 at the Gore Arts Complex’s Entergy Theatre, 400 East College Street in Clinton. It’s free and open to the public.

The Red Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival is a joint production of Main Street Clinton, Clinton Chamber of Commerce and the City of Clinton.