A South Mississippi tradition will mark its 10th anniversary season Saturday when the Roots Reunion live radio music show is held April 18 from 7-9 p.m.  The show will be held at Hattiesburg’s historic Saenger Theater and aired on WUSM 88.5 FM. Admission is free.

Presented by The University of Southern Mississippi’s Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage, the Southern Miss School of Music and its Entertainment Industry program, Roots Reunion showcases talented musicians performing the music rooted in the region’s culture and history.  

Guest artists include the Roots Reunion “house band,” the Patchwork String Band (country-bluegrass); Hal and Connie Jeane(old-time bluegrass, folk and swing); Vasti Jackson (blues); and “Jacky” Jack White (traditional country). Transitional performances between acts will be performed by Southern Miss faculty members, including honky-tonk piano by Paul Linden and blues by David Echevarria.

“It’s a great lineup and we invite everyone to come out and enjoy these musical traditions that are such an integral part of both our past and present,” said Dr. Louis Kyriakoudes, director of the Center.

Roots Reunion is one of a variety of activities visitors to downtown can take advantage of this weekend, including the popular art walk, food and music festivals, restaurants, retail shopping and entertainment venues, among many others. For a complete listing of this weekend’s downtown events, visit http://www.downtownhattiesburg.com.

“It’s a wonderful downtown Hattiesburg tradition that enhances what we have to offer our visitors,” said Betsy Rowell, executive director of the Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association. “For a decade Roots Reunion has brought us some wonderful sounds, and we look forward to many more years to come of the wonderful music it celebrates.”

Also at the Saenger Theater is an ongoing exhibit, Storybook Look, featuring the children’s book illustrations of notable Southern artists. It includes 28 paintings, photographs and cut-paper/mixed media artworks and is part of the Southern Arts Federation, an organization which promotes and supports the arts in the South.
Admission to this exhibit is free, and will be open the day of Roots Reunion from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The exhibit concludes May 30.

Sponsors of Roots Reunion include the College of Arts and Letters; the Honors College; the Department of History; visitHATTIESBURG; HHDA; Hattiesburg Coca Cola; Lenny’s Sub Shop; Domino’s Pizza; and South City Records.

Attendees of Roots Reunion can become a Friend of the Center of Oral History and Cultural Heritage and receive a free CD recording of the Roots Reunion show with a $35 donation at the door. For more information, contact the Southern Miss Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at 601.266.4574.

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About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi, founded in 1910, is a comprehensive doctoral and research-extensive university fulfilling its mission of being a leading university in engaging and empowering individuals to transform lives and communities.  In a tradition of leadership for student development, Southern Miss is educating a 21st century work force providing intellectual capital, cultural enrichment and innovation to Mississippi and the world.  Southern Miss is located in Hattiesburg, Miss., with an additional campus and teaching and research sites on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; further information is found at www.usm.edu.