Event 1: Millsaps Organized Volunteer Event (MOVE)

When: Fri., 1-4 p.m.

by Grace Williams
contributor

     Start your weekend off right by joining 1 Campus 1 Community for an afternoon of volunteering in the community. Each semester, the Millsaps Organized Volunteer Event (MOVE; formerly MVP and Project Midtown) sends students, faculty and staff out into the community to lend a hand. This fall, MOVE volunteers can choose between Brown Elementary, the ARF animal shelter, the Mississippi Children’s Home, the Hatch business incubator and the Midtown Community Garden.

     To participate, meet 1C1C in the Bowl at 1 p.m. Volunteers will be split into groups to carpool to the site of their choice. Pro tip: Slots for murals and animal shelters fill up fast – you can claim your spot ahead of time by signing up in front of the Caf’ during lunch on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The entire Millsaps community is invited to participate. 1C1C encourages participants to wear Millsaps T-shirts (maybe last year’s Block Party shirt?) to help show our Major pride.

Event 2: Figment
When: Sat. 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Where: Midtown Arts District, 126 Keener Ave.
Price: Free

by Liz Allen
Friday+Saturday editor

Throughout the past several months, Jackson has been amping up for Figment, the city’s fourth annual participatory arts festival. Don’t be afraid of that word participatory, though. Figment’s website states, “Art is not just something that you stand still and quietly look at. It is something you participate in. Touch it, smell it, write on it, dance with it, play with it, and learn from it” [sic on that oxford comma]. In sum, art following this definition is fun and freeing (and free).

A few weeks ago, The P&W previewed Figment’s Pop Up exhibit at the Mississippi Museum of Art, highlighting some of the projects you can expect to find at Figment: Japanese shadow puppet shows, the Big Bad Bucky Ball and clay ceramic projects. There are over two dozen projects designed by local and regional artists weaved inside and outside the blocks of the Arts District.

Final word: Figment is not to be missed. Check out updates and previews here. A map of all locations and projects below.

Event 3: Jacktober Fest

When: Fri., 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Congress Street between Amite and Capitol, Downtown
Price: Free

     Jackson’s version of Oktoberfest features a craft beer festival and competition paired with a street festival, and of course, plenty of brats! If you’re in it for the beer, you can look forward to a blend of local craft and German imports on tap. The hardcore beer fans can check out the beer garden from 5-7 p.m., where $15 gets you unlimited samples of the competing craft beer.

     If beer isn’t your thing, or you’re not of age, think of it as a free street concert. Performers include local indie band Young Valley at 6:35 p.m., followed by The Shadowboxers, a soup pop trio from Atlanta at 8:15 p.m., then Seryn takes the stage at 9:45 p.m. to close out the festival.